tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36404240963973168382024-03-13T22:04:38.423-04:00This is Not A CliffhangerThis Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-88150856799406819622018-02-19T00:12:00.001-05:002018-02-19T00:12:48.346-05:00Review: Fire and Bone by Rachel A. Marks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWw9L7KlrL-4o4lFO6KW1KmTG_cftEu9ewONuhm7Mi-WoDXxuJqIioPpe6qDyL0btFG5HLex3PxoPwjiQKVo0sdUoa_A8yUZEbqo5WQfx3-KOvESJKofsBgJBVQcn4MzjM-9hjixE85c/s1600/fireandbone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWw9L7KlrL-4o4lFO6KW1KmTG_cftEu9ewONuhm7Mi-WoDXxuJqIioPpe6qDyL0btFG5HLex3PxoPwjiQKVo0sdUoa_A8yUZEbqo5WQfx3-KOvESJKofsBgJBVQcn4MzjM-9hjixE85c/s320/fireandbone.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fire and Bone</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Otherborn #1)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rachel A. Marks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4.0/5.0 Stars</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After accepting an invitation to a party, Sage goes from
being a homeless teenager desperately trying to survive on the streets of L.A.
to finding out she is actually the daughter of a Goddess. Her whole life is a
lie and the world is way more fantastical than she ever imagined.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The beginning 1/3 or so of this book was a little bumpy for
me. She doesn’t know what is going on
and neither did I. It’s a little wordy
and the lack of clear answers gets a bit frustrating. Not enough to give it up but it lacked the “can’t
put it down” factor. Once it evens out and the pace picks up some, it was
definitely worth the wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The characters are the biggest strength in this book. Sage is a fantastic MC and her reactions to
certain events were true to who she is and her background. There is an element of love triangle which is
totally not my thing but in this case it was definitely integral to the
plot. Both of the interests are very
different and compelling in their own right.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, I really enjoyed <i>Fire and Bone</i> and would definitely recommend it. The Irish mythology was refreshingly
different from the typical YA fantasy reads and the characters are well drawn
and layered. I will definitely be adding
the sequel to my TBR.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-22493154503957581492014-03-19T21:32:00.004-04:002014-03-20T08:07:20.883-04:00Blitz - Excerpt & Giveaway! My Life from Hell by Tellulah Darling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8QPJ9zJn3ANE5uNiVKf1E4Ylp-xas28WIZXIyMXq_ejqZ8U24G1AL0kEZtZYbC8HyLer7IjII2XLIChhsqbfXCpHXbLnCvvaDOKGYJvxSqYFd43kfRKs4CfePLjoAt9l7H-bk89hh2Q/s1600/large+banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8QPJ9zJn3ANE5uNiVKf1E4Ylp-xas28WIZXIyMXq_ejqZ8U24G1AL0kEZtZYbC8HyLer7IjII2XLIChhsqbfXCpHXbLnCvvaDOKGYJvxSqYFd43kfRKs4CfePLjoAt9l7H-bk89hh2Q/s1600/large+banner.png" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's Tellulah's virtual book bash and you're invited!</b></span></div>
<br />
Come to:<a href="http://tellulahdarling.com/tellulah-darling-live/" target="_blank"> http://tellulahdarling.com/tellulah-darling-live/</a> on Sunday, Mar 23 between 10-11AM PST and help Tellulah celebrate the release of My Life From Hell. She'll be live on video, doing a reading, answering your text Q&A, and just chatting. So come on over, ask a question, discuss the pros and cons of swoony boys, or just say hi! She'd love to have you there to help mark the end of Sophie's journey. Better yet, she's the only one who has to get dressed for the event. :D<br />
_________<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpMSQ-hYHemK0atAPdhS6q3CoOKmUvGeTZCwDV72HHADMhXfKjHBowhFr8SfCXb1Y-3IG6kN5qxtTxQLWGNwstHHsYaKXVCfVcSVPJWg5ekQBSADy3MiCm6dUlKjOq5lgDqTK7mzJ2n0/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpMSQ-hYHemK0atAPdhS6q3CoOKmUvGeTZCwDV72HHADMhXfKjHBowhFr8SfCXb1Y-3IG6kN5qxtTxQLWGNwstHHsYaKXVCfVcSVPJWg5ekQBSADy3MiCm6dUlKjOq5lgDqTK7mzJ2n0/s1600/cover.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Book & Author Details:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #3) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Publication date: March 20th 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult</div>
<br />
<br />
Synopsis:<br />
<br />
To
say that Sophie Bloom is at the top of her game with one only week
until spring equinox and the final showdown with Zeus and Hades would
be, well, lying. The Goddess of Spring feels more like the Goddess of
Bzz Thanks For Playing than the savior of humanity. And could her
relationships be any more messed up?<br />
<br />
Good times.<br />
<br />
Sophie
is convinced that things can’t get any worse than crawling back to her
mother Demeter and begging for help. But she’s about to find out how
very wrong she is.<br />
<br />
It’s a race against time for
Sophie to implement the big battle strategy in the YA romantic
comedy/Greek mythology finale My Life From Hell. Love meets comedy with a
whole lot of sass in book three of this teen fantasy romance series.
Save herself; save the world. Humanity may be screwed.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Excerpt:<br /><br />Of
all the Prince of Darkness’ powers, his best were his bone-melting
super-kisses. Which is why, when my boyfriend Kai, (formally known as
Kyrillos, son of Hades, Lord of the Underworld) pushed me up against my
bedroom wall with a liplock of mind whacking proportions, I didn’t do
much other than grip his shoulders, try to stay in an upright position,
and willingly participate. <br /><br />But as right as it felt, I also knew that it was very very wrong.<br /><br />“We have to talk,” I gasped as I came up for air. <br /><br />“Overrated,”
Kai murmured, nudging his hips up against mine. Instead of talking, he
opted for Plan B, which was pretty much a new and improved version of
Plan A. His hand clasped the back of my head to pull me closer. <br /><br />If I pressed myself any harder against him, I’d be behind him. <br /><br />Maybe
that would be a good thing. Then I wouldn’t be distracted by things
like the way his stupidly gorgeously-lashed eyes fixated on me, their
normal espresso brown darkened and full of heat. <br /><br />Kai shook his
head, flinging a wayward lock of dark hair out of his eyes. That just
made me want to sink my hands into his hair. And like the most pathetic
Pavlovian conditioning, one of my hands snaked up to twine my fingers
into the curled ends just below his ears. <br /><br />His breath caught at my caress.<br /><br />Kai
leaned forward and gave me the most fleeting, teasing kiss, his lips
brushing mine. My stomach fluttered at hummingbird speed in that split
second of connection. <br /><br />Kissing, touching; our chemistry was off the scale.<br /><br />Sadly, so was the weight of our baggage.</i></blockquote>
<br />
<a href="goodreads:%20https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18273368-my-life-from-hell?ac=1" target="_blank">Find this book on Goodreads!</a><br />
<br />
Purchase:<br />
<br />
Will be found here come release day:<br />
<br />
--Amazon:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tellulah-Darling/e/B008ISMY6O/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=httpswwwfa035-20" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.com/Tellulah-Darling/e/B008ISMY6O/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=httpswwwfa035-20</a><br />
<br />
--B&N: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/tellulah-darling">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/tellulah-darling</a><br />
<br />
--iTunes: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/my-date-from-hell-blooming/id707522811?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/my-date-from-hell-blooming/id707522811?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4</a><br />
<br />
--Kobo: <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/my-life-from-hell-the-blooming-goddess-trilogy-book-three">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/my-life-from-hell-the-blooming-goddess-trilogy-book-three</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PHV7iRc79JLiURv2ICKwTqz1ux93nHXvM8kHU7IOhggjNQvMV2t1HTMQ6hNJnIKUA2gvUGP-kcrhfXeXmAG_3eUbLVVsPVSscwvFvWYUTRPCERptcBdlvm8tFbWkGfgMwo3DFG2ONOw/s1600/darling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PHV7iRc79JLiURv2ICKwTqz1ux93nHXvM8kHU7IOhggjNQvMV2t1HTMQ6hNJnIKUA2gvUGP-kcrhfXeXmAG_3eUbLVVsPVSscwvFvWYUTRPCERptcBdlvm8tFbWkGfgMwo3DFG2ONOw/s1600/darling.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
AUTHOR BIO<br />
Tellulah Darling<br />
noun<br />
<br />
1) YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she's compensating.<br />
<br />
2) Alter ego of former screenwriter.<br />
<br />
3) Sassy minx.<br />
<br />
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.<br />
<br />
Tellulah
Darling is a firm believer that some of the best stories happen when
love meets comedy. Which is why she has so much fun writing young adult
romantic comedy novels. Her tales span contemporary, teen fantasy
romance, and YA Greek mythology, and range from stand alone books to
series. For Tellulah, teen romance is the most passionate, intense, and
awkward there is - a comedy goldmine. Plus smart, mouthy, teen girls
rock.<br />
<br />
Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?<br />
<br />
www.tellulahdarling.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9PeoQH-Y8mWE95tFMmRS3ywEOxDstLF94hWFbcUdkpz1rdNXZqSPeO46I9Au-28TpNV4afm6HAzQZ4btUbJlfkA3NxjtfoDWuZbR5Tn1CtMPloXq51h3tRntt-Gq9RVjTsyJCYiCQgw/s1600/banner.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9PeoQH-Y8mWE95tFMmRS3ywEOxDstLF94hWFbcUdkpz1rdNXZqSPeO46I9Au-28TpNV4afm6HAzQZ4btUbJlfkA3NxjtfoDWuZbR5Tn1CtMPloXq51h3tRntt-Gq9RVjTsyJCYiCQgw/s1600/banner.gif" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Author Links:<br />
<br />
Website: <a href="http://welcome.tellulahdarling.com/">http://welcome.tellulahdarling.com/</a><br />
<br />
Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6429243.Tellulah_Darling">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6429243.Tellulah_Darling</a><br />
<br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/tellulahdarling">https://twitter.com/tellulahdarling</a><br />
<br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TellulahDarling">https://www.facebook.com/TellulahDarling</a><br />
<br />
<br />
GIVEAWAY<br />
<br />
Prizes:<br />
<br />
-Signed copies of Books 1, 2 & 3<br />
<br />
-2 x eBook copies of the series (incl the short story)<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251369/" id="rc-d04251369" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-16858624735863311002014-03-08T05:40:00.000-05:002014-03-08T05:40:49.754-05:00Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpdvkTWaLcf2bcEqb83NaVlxV43ax4kb-QAqE_ybysmChFLBhKHBD_9Z50J8VBetyx0JEM366TmJRYNpr2moZbH7HlZ05P1E2dVeVvvzXfZetIrtHc63sbKRgjkMExMH2wlIQGXyOBdc/s1600/fire+&+flood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpdvkTWaLcf2bcEqb83NaVlxV43ax4kb-QAqE_ybysmChFLBhKHBD_9Z50J8VBetyx0JEM366TmJRYNpr2moZbH7HlZ05P1E2dVeVvvzXfZetIrtHc63sbKRgjkMExMH2wlIQGXyOBdc/s1600/fire+&+flood.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fire & Flood</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Fire & Flood #1)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Victoria Scott</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4.0/5.0 stars</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />I've heard great things about Victoria Scott's writing but having never read her myself I was a little nervous. Could she actually be as good as everyone says or was I about to be monumentally crushed? I can now happily say I see what all the fuss is about. Fire & Flood was immensely entertaining and kept me up well past my bedtime!<br /><br /> Tella Holloway is a somewhat vain and materialistic girl from a well to do family in Boston. Her brother, Corey, is suffering from a mysterious terminal illness. As the story starts her family has recently moved to the middle of nowhere in Montana in the hopes it will help her brother be more comfortable. Tella is struggling with the lack of social life and the sudden change of lifestyle. Returning to her bedroom one night she finds a mysterious device that when activited tells her she is invited to the Brimstone Bleed where the winner receives the cure. Her family does its best to dissuade her but knowing this is the only way to save her brother she, of course, does it anyway. <br /><br /> Tella and I had a bumpy start. She's that very girly, very spoiled type that I have a really hard time identifying with and I was warming up my eyes for some good eyerolls right off the bat. But they never really came because her voice was so hilarious. I ended up really loving the fact that she was the exact opposite of the usual heroine. We all want to think we'd be like Katniss if we were ever placed in this situation- confident, strong, brave, ready to kickass all day long. But come on guys, let's be real, most of us would be terrified and not have the first clue what to do. Tella isn't brave in the beginning or good at survivalist stuff, at all. Why would she be? The worst thing she's had to survive before was missing a killer sale at the mall. What she is- is desperate. Desperate to save the brother she loves and get her family back to some sort of normal life. That's the beauty of this story and Tella specifically. We get to watch her realize how strong she truly is and how much she is willing to risk to save her brother. <br /><br /> The pacing of this story was on point, with lots of action that kept me flipping pages after I promised I would put it down and get some sleep. That was a great plan but then something would happen or some big twist would drop and I'd realize I just killed another hour. Ooops. No biggie- kids can take care of themselves, right? <br /><br /> The only part I wasn't totally hooked on was the romance. I liked Guy but he's very standoffish and secretive and it was hard for me to invest in their romance because I was always suspicious. We do finally get some straight answers from him at the end though and I felt much better about him after that.<br /><br /> Oh. My. God. I almost forgot the Pandoras! Clearly my caffeine level is getting dangerously low. The Pandoras are genetically modified animals that are given to the contenders to help them survive. They all have different skills and powers and it's up to the contestant to figure out what they can do. They are freaking awesome! Fire & Flood is worth reading just for the Pandoras alone. I loved how a lot of their special powers tied into natural skills or behaviors of the actual animal. <br /><br /> Pandoras, fast-pace, action, twists, violence....do I really have to tell you that you want to read this? Okay. Fine. YOU WANT TO READ THIS!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-80158488987070656752014-03-06T23:25:00.001-05:002014-03-06T23:25:32.755-05:00Review: The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1) by Bree DeSpain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ5aygk9hEM-tz8Vfuv9-aSVwnb2w2Rfv6mRL6YBD_Jh8fZg8psNM4JEVAfvEwSX0y6T2ybTGStbsAINEFVxlV5rK5WQPEW9e4ca2D7aw2-qSEMmVbfRXmxlmGWdmPiu76uTVq1HCymg/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ5aygk9hEM-tz8Vfuv9-aSVwnb2w2Rfv6mRL6YBD_Jh8fZg8psNM4JEVAfvEwSX0y6T2ybTGStbsAINEFVxlV5rK5WQPEW9e4ca2D7aw2-qSEMmVbfRXmxlmGWdmPiu76uTVq1HCymg/s1600/cover.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1)<br />Bree DeSpain<br />3.5/5.0<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Think Persephone-Hades myth with a modern twist. <br />
<br />Haden is the disgraced prince of the Underealm with little chance of redemption. However, when an Oracle chooses him to go out and bring back the next Boon, he sees his opportunity. This Boon isn't just any Boon though. She is the Cypher and the key to finding Hades' key to the Underworld. Without her all hope for the Underrealm and humanity could be lost. <br />
<br />Daphne Raines gifted musician and small town girl. She has a led a very sheltered life, a life that makes pursuing her dreams of becoming a famed musician damn near impossible. When her estranged rock star father appears out of the blue and offers her an opportunity to escape her small town and small life. She trades in her sheltered life for what she thinks is the opportunity of a lifetime - joining the esteemed musical program of Olympus Hills High School. <br />
<br />What she doesn't know is that she is the Boon that Haden seeks, and her new home in Olympus Hills has put her in prime territory for him to find her. <br />
<br />The book starts out rather slow, and while I get the need for back story so we can understand the characters and their motivations, this book almost takes it to far. It was really difficult to hang in there at some points. It does pick up, but it's about halfway through the book.... and this isn't a short book...<br />
<br />I will say that once the story picks up, DeSpain does a really good job and it gets really interesting. She throws a lot of twist and turns in there - a dash of mystery. It's really pretty good. <br />
<br />I enjoyed watching the characters and their development. DeSpain is really good at painting characters that are individual and realistic. I had no problems identifying with Haden and Daphne, or any of the supporting characters. Their motivations made sense. Even when they were doing something incredibly stupid, I could grasp why they would do it. <br />
<br />Overall, I liked the book, but I really wish that the pacing was a little better in the beginning. It's one of those books where I really feel like a lot could have been cut out or worked in differently to make a shorter more cohesive story. However, I felt like the author hit her stride towards the end of the book, and I'm certainly interested to see where book two takes us. I'll definitely give the second book a shot before I make a final call on this series. This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-692317275985532032014-03-06T08:00:00.000-05:002014-03-06T08:01:15.183-05:00Cover Reveal: Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer Armentrout<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: teal;">It's Time!! The STONE COLD TOUCH cover is here!</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We cannot wait to share the cover for Jennifer L. Armentrout's STONE COLD TOUCH with you all! STONE COLD TOUCH is a young adult paranormal romance by Jennifer L. Armentrout and is the second full-length novel in The Dark Elements Series being published by <a href="http://www.harlequin.com/author.html?authorid=2874">Harlequin Teen</a>. You'll want to add this to your TBR pile ASAP. Check out this amazing cover!
<a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Cold-Stone-Touch.jpg"><img alt="Cold Stone Touch" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2317" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Cold-Stone-Touch.jpg" height="628" width="409" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't it awesome?! You can Pre-order it right now!
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: teal;">**<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Cold-Touch-Dark-Elements-ebook/dp/B00IPDVGKW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394038332&sr=1-1&keywords=cold+stone+touch%2C+jennifer+l+armentrout" target="_blank"><span style="color: teal;">Amazon</span></a>** **<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/">Barnes & Noble</a>** **<a href="http://www.apple.com/ibooks/">iTunes</a>** **<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/stone-cold-touch" target="_blank"><span style="color: teal;">Kobo</span></a>**</span></h2>
<b>STONE COLD TOUCH Synopsis:</b>
<b></b><b>Every touch has its price</b>
Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.
But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…
<b>"Constantly entertaining...the narrative sizzles with as much tension as romance."</b>
<b>—<i>Kirkus Reviews </i>on <i>White Hot Kiss</i></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And...Don't forget to check out the first book in The Dark Elements Series,</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">WHITE HOT KISS! </span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/White-Hot-Kiss.jpg"><img alt="White Hot Kiss" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2316" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/White-Hot-Kiss.jpg" height="475" width="310" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ABOUT WHITE HOT KISS:</b>
One kiss could be the last.
Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.
Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.
Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.
But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
**<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0373211104/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=13GYW1QMJSPB108J0YT5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846" target="_blank">Amazon</a>** **<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/white-hot-kiss-jennifer-l-armentrout/1115476091?ean=9780373211104" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a>** **<a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/White-Hot-Kiss/Armentrout-Jennifer-L/Q860263369?id=5935970666326" target="_blank">BAM</a>** **<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMultiRoom?cc=us&fcId=384439976" target="_blank">iBooks</a>** **<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780373211104" target="_blank">IndieBound</a>** **<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/white-hot-kiss" target="_blank">Kobo</a>** **<a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/26583752" target="_blank">Walmart</a>**</h2>
<b><a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Author-Photo1.jpg"><img alt="Author Photo" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2315" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Author-Photo1-200x300.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>About Jennifer L. Armentrout:</b>
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thedarkelementsseries.com/">The Dark Elements Series Website</a><a href="http://www.thedarkelementsseries.com/" target="_blank">
</a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/">Website</a><a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/" target="_blank">
</a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout">Twitter</a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout">Facebook</a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout">Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads</a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout" target="_blank">
</a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455815-stone-cold-touch?from_search=true">STONE COLD TOUCH Goodreads</a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455815-stone-cold-touch?from_search=true">
</a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?bf=500&from_search=true">WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads</a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?bf=500&from_search=true" target="_blank">
</a></h2>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-65433617496700374112014-03-05T20:16:00.004-05:002014-03-05T20:16:58.393-05:00Review: Unite by Jamie Campbell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsKnBc7B6bss7f58xO1L2YulR70xhcjDDCkXI52ygsft6GxJdmOo5nRGMmrPU9fTvLs61bE5C2_2cCZADuQDfzIYH1URP_lMxe0SJfZUaSazQaoL8E7pv5kK3x4F9odwmGW1_hDPUDYY/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsKnBc7B6bss7f58xO1L2YulR70xhcjDDCkXI52ygsft6GxJdmOo5nRGMmrPU9fTvLs61bE5C2_2cCZADuQDfzIYH1URP_lMxe0SJfZUaSazQaoL8E7pv5kK3x4F9odwmGW1_hDPUDYY/s1600/cover.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
Unite<br />Jamie Campbell<br />2.0/5.0<div>
<br />This book was a struggle. It took me MONTHS to read it, because I kept tossing it aside to read something (ANYTHING) else. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ds0pSS2gJN93kx-__62A9HbHF54XGq9YfURweO-ewyL8WrpYP5d7ZwEFNpJdz8eFOMdxqrNVpofQ3ryixhoORb85OGvbpcJTXQifrri_cKLX_qTYvdCpYB3pSPpq8C-zXJ8bnB22HMs/s1600/throwing+tbook+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ds0pSS2gJN93kx-__62A9HbHF54XGq9YfURweO-ewyL8WrpYP5d7ZwEFNpJdz8eFOMdxqrNVpofQ3ryixhoORb85OGvbpcJTXQifrri_cKLX_qTYvdCpYB3pSPpq8C-zXJ8bnB22HMs/s1600/throwing+tbook+gif.gif" height="132" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />The premise was interesting enough, it was just poorly executed and lacked any realism. <br />The idea is that somewhere in the vast area we call space, there is another planet very much like our own. This other planet is in the path of another planet... asteroid... whatever. Point is the planet they are living on is going to be destroyed. So in an effort to save themselves the aliens contact Earth. In exchange for some pretty bitchin' technology, we are to take some of their alien offspring and integrate them into Earth's population. The FBI gets involved and creates a program. The little alien babies will be secretly integrated into our school systems. They are required to be good little aliens and do everything in their power to make everyone like them. They must achieve stellar grades, go to college, and get awesome jobs. After 25 years the government will reveal their existence, and since they have already established themselves as lovable aliens, humans will totally accept them. Whoever came up with this idea must have some of the rosiest rose colored glasses ever, because I'd bet money that the big reveal would be mass hysteria. Cuz, ya know... HISTORY. </div>
<div>
<br />However, to be fair, if this was the ONLY unbelievable thing about the story, I might have been able to roll with it. IT'S NOT. </div>
<div>
<br />When a group of people learn of these alien teens (teeliens?).... they start picking them off one by one. The US Government immediately tucks its tail between it's legs and scampers off. They tell the aliens and their foster families that due to budget cuts the program is being shut down. Ummm... WHAT!? Seriously... WHAT?!?!?! I'm expected to buy that the government just invested all this time and money into this project and one little group of extremist takes it down by knocking off a few of their aliens?? We are talking a fairly small grassroots alien take down effort here. Not only is this a small grassroots effort going on here, they aren't very good at it apparently. They find Amery (the MC) studying in the library with her mortal enemy (we'll get to that in a moment) one day. The big bad alien hunters proceed to chase the teens down the school hallways. The teens slip into a janitors closet and carry on a conversation, and the big bad alien hunters lose them. I dunno, maybe they are soundproofing Janitor's closets these days. Whatever.... NOT.BUYING.IT.</div>
<div>
<br />So, what is an teelien and her foster family to do when their ONLY means of protection has just left them high and dry? They do the logical thing and go into hiding, right? RIGHT? WRONG. They stay right where they are and the teelien revels in her new found freedom. I'm totally serious. She literally goes out and gets all giddy over the fact that no one is watching her anymore... except maybe the alien killers. The alien killers, who by the way, have already attempted to catch her in her school. The school that she continues to attend. *BANGS HEAD ON DESK*</div>
<div>
<br />Ok... So, as for this mortal enemy thing... Amery seriously, seriously hates this guy she goes to school with, Lochie. Which, fine I get it, we all had someone we went to school with that we wanted to stab in the eye with a fork. What I don't get however is WHY she hates him. From what we're told he's never really done anything to her. He never really says anything in the book that makes me go "oh, well, he's an ass." Actually, he seems like a pretty <strike>boring</strike> nice guy. I dunno... maybe he smells funny or something. </div>
<div>
<br />I get that the author is probably trying to do that whole love-hate thing. However, if you want me to buy into that I have to have a reason to hate the guy.</div>
<div>
<br />Overall, I'm sorry to say I don't think I'll be following this book any further. I just didn't get it. There were too many things that seemed highly unlikely, impossible, or just plain silly for me to get too excited over this book. It may be better suited to a tween audience, but I don't foresee a lot of older teens or adults reading this and seeing writing gold. </div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-54162140300212006022014-02-25T07:36:00.000-05:002014-02-25T07:36:09.077-05:00White Hot Kiss Release Day LaunchWe are beyond excited to participate in the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WHITE HOT KISS! WHITE HOT KISS is a young adult paranormal romance being published by <a href="http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html;jsessionid=0B6276B4C1C03BF3715212932D7C28D6?iid=50820&cid=2357" target="_blank">Harlequin Teen</a> TODAY! This is the first full-length novel in The Dark Elements Series and one you'll want to grab as soon as you finish reading this post.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/White-Hot-Kiss1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="White Hot Kiss" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2146" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/White-Hot-Kiss1.jpg" height="475" width="310" /></a><b>ABOUT WHITE HOT KISS:</b>
One kiss could be the last.
Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.
Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.
Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.
But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>EXCERPT:</b>
“I don’t think of Zayne that way!”
She laughed. “What man-parts-loving female in this world doesn’t think of Zayne that
way? I can barely keep myself breathing when I see him. All the guys in school have squishy
waists. I can tell Zayne doesn’t. He’s the awesome sauce with extra sauce.”
That he was and he so didn’t have a squishy waist, but I tuned Stacey out at that point. I
really did need to cram for this test and I also didn’t want my fantasies involving Zayne to
occupy my mind right now. Especially after I’d woken up this morning, carefully tucked under
the covers. The bed had smelled like him: sandalwood and crisp linen.
“Oh, sweet baby Jesus in a manger,” Stacey murmured.
I clenched my jaw, cupping my hands over my ears.
She jabbed me in the side with her elbow. At this rate I’d be covered in bruises before
lunchtime. “Our bio class just got a billion times more interesting. And hotter, lots and lots
hotter. Holy mother, I want to have his babies. Not now of course, but definitely later. But I’d
like to start practicing soon.”
The cell wall is a thick and rigid layer covering the plasma something, something plant
cells…
Stacey stiffened all of a sudden. “Oh my God, he’s coming—”
Composed of fat and sugar—
Something slender and shiny fell from who knew where, landing in the middle of Sam’s
notes. Blinking tightly, it took me a couple of seconds to recognize the faded and half peeled
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sticker covering the back of the silver cell phone.
My heart slammed against my ribs. Gripping the edges of the notebook, I slowly lifted
my gaze. Unnaturally beautiful golden eyes met mine.
“You forgot this last night.”
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Hot-Kiss-Dark-Elements-ebook/dp/B00DSX0QRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393019445&sr=8-1&keywords=white+hot+kiss+by+jennifer+l.+armentrout" target="_blank">Amazon</a>
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/white-hot-kiss-jennifer-l-armentrout/1115476091?ean=9781460323687&itm=1&usri=white+hot+kiss+jennifer+l.+armentrout" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a>
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/white-hot-kiss" target="_blank">Kobo</a>
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/white-hot-kiss/id751773458?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now that you have a taste for this fabulous new series, here are the details for the AMAZING international giveaway!!! </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Harlequin Teen is giving away a large Harlequin Teen Tote.
Tote Includes:</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
· Harlequin TEEN branded tote<br />
· The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa (trade)<br />
· Pawn by Aimee Carter (hard cover)<br />
· Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (hard cover)<br />
· Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter (hard cover)<br />
· 2 copies of White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout<br />
· 1 pair of black harlequin branded socks (they are so comfy!) </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1130/" id="rc-9172c1130" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/White-hot-Kiss-Release-Day-banner.png"><img alt="White hot Kiss Release Day banner" class="aligncenter wp-image-2147" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/White-hot-Kiss-Release-Day-banner-1024x384.png" height="300" width="650" /></a></div>
<b></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Author-Photo7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Author Photo" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2145" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Author-Photo7-200x300.jpg" height="300" width="200" /></a><b>About Jennifer L. Armentrout:</b>
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
<br />
<br />
<b>Links:</b>
<br />
Series Website: <a href="http://www.thedarkelementsseries.com/" target="_blank">http://www.thedarkelementsseries.com</a><br />
Website: <a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/" target="_blank">http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout</a><br />
Jennifer L. Armentrout<br />
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout</a><br />
WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?bf=500&from_search=true" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?bf=500&from_search=true</a>This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-27286315127972093492014-02-20T03:51:00.001-05:002014-02-20T03:51:56.131-05:00Review: The Queen's Choice by Cayla Kluver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxzl5rM1sHbJ0ayh4mUhPVDB2Ys52R-l6wJjAY-S-O2amU2KlEBjmcrsezlhwnd_Yzsl0kpBNOx8O2ICxXO9mnvpHSSCdDYttmv_uSfLEOPzIad8EcOiiqn1TuLZpApIVLqjWRLhgOPU/s1600/queenschoice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxzl5rM1sHbJ0ayh4mUhPVDB2Ys52R-l6wJjAY-S-O2amU2KlEBjmcrsezlhwnd_Yzsl0kpBNOx8O2ICxXO9mnvpHSSCdDYttmv_uSfLEOPzIad8EcOiiqn1TuLZpApIVLqjWRLhgOPU/s1600/queenschoice.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Queen's Choice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Heirs of Chrior #1)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cayla Kluver</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2.0/5.0 stars</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Blurb:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<i>Magic was seeping out of me, black and agonizing. I could see it drifting away. The magic that would let me pass the Road to reach home again.<br /><br />When sixteen-year-old Anya learns that her aunt, Queen of the Faerie Kingdom of Chrior, will soon die, her grief is equalled only by her despair for the future of the kingdom. Her young cousin, Illumina, is unfit to rule, and Anya is determined not to take up the queen's mantle herself.<br /><br />Convinced that the only solution is to find Prince Zabriel, who long ago disappeared into the human realm of Warckum, and persuade him to take up his rightful crown, Anya journeys into the Warckum Territory to bring him home. But her journey is doomed to be more harrowing than she ever could have imagined.</i><div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My Review:</b></div>
<br />That blurb, you guys. That. Blurb. Faeries, royalty, harrowing journey- yes, yes, and yessss (Gollum voice optional). I jumped at the chance to read this. Though I haven’t read any of Cayla Kluver’s previous works, I’ve always heard good things about it so this was a gimme. Unfortunately, the only thing <i>The Queen’s Choice</i> ended up giving me was a mad case of boredom. <br /><br />The book starts off with a giant info dump in the Faerie land of Chrior, which shall henceforth be known as Dullsville. Every character we met in Chrior was so boooring. The fiance, especially. He was around for all of two minutes before I decided he was a no-go as a romantic lead. He was like a little puppy doing whatever it's told. Not knocking puppies, I love puppies, but I sure as hell don’t date them. Her Aunt, the Queen, tells her that she is dying and that unless her wayward son, Zabriel, will come back and rule Anya is going to be the next Queen. She send’s Anya’s cousin, Illumina, to retrieve him so she can at least see him once more before she dies. But Anya doesn’t trust Illumina to find him and convince him to come back so she decides to sneak away on her own to find him. Usually I’d find the set-up of that stupid on Anya’s part and I did but I was so tired of Chrior that I was like “yay! Let’s leave! Great idea!”. She crosses into the human realm and things get really interesting…for about two minutes. <br /><br />The writing style of this book was beautiful. Cayla Kluver has an almost lyrical way of describing things and I did appreciate that at first but it was so overdone that it lost its charm long before the halfway point. I love long books but this one desperately needed to be trimmed. They could have easily cut out 100 pages, maybe even 200, and not lost anything important. The pacing was slow and tedious. <br /><br />The characters were where it really failed for me. Anya is quite possibly one of the most boring narrators I’ve ever read. Her thought process was so flat that I spent the majority of the book wondering why anyone wanted to be around her. Her human traveling companion, Shea, I liked…at first. She at least had some personality. Which was cool until she ended up having multiple personalities. Not medically speaking, I could roll with that. This was like ‘we need this to be said/happen in the plot so Shea do a complete 180 for no apparent reason’. I actually did like Zabriel but by the time we meet him it was way too little way too late to redeem this at all for me. <br /><br />The ending was strong and rather enticing but not enough to get me to read the next book. There are just too many books and too little time to spend that many pages being bored out of my mind. This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-19472108231160977832014-02-18T22:23:00.002-05:002014-02-18T22:23:53.027-05:00Dissever by Tracey Ward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIda_o2PLx_EtUxm3jyBXXE4V9F8hwZll6lZqSlKP1ylRU1tifBs7IZTINKRPm9rzZblRhoo5Sy-jbkPbocrkZQjswnI_dWghYXtvsSwl-vjovCry_K4jO2edQeD0b5wD7HZQfGozj3c/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIda_o2PLx_EtUxm3jyBXXE4V9F8hwZll6lZqSlKP1ylRU1tifBs7IZTINKRPm9rzZblRhoo5Sy-jbkPbocrkZQjswnI_dWghYXtvsSwl-vjovCry_K4jO2edQeD0b5wD7HZQfGozj3c/s1600/COVER.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Dissever<br />
Tracey Ward<br />
4.5/5.0<br />
<br />
First of all... how Tracey Ward isn't a household name is beyond me, because everything she has written so far has blown my mind. In fact, I think her books may be slightly more addictive than crack.<br />
<br />
That being said, it didn't take a whole lot of encouragement to get me to grab this on Amazon and read it. However, I will admit that the whole premise of a historical paranormal romance based on Edgar Allen Poe's "Annabell Lee" certainly didn't hurt. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I have ever and always been perfectly and soundly in love with Ro.<br />Annabel Lee is growing up in the court of a hidden kingdom, one shrouded from the wars that ravish the outside world. Her father is cruel, her mother is kind and her heart now and always belongs to her greatest friend, Roarke. But he's an Outsider, an unwanted on the island, his people's existence the product of a horrible night over a hundred years ago. A night when an age old treaty was broken. When the sky rained fire and the sea raged deadly.<br />When tragedy strikes and a horrible accident leaves her friend broken and scarred, Anna begins to wonder if the "safety" of this hidden island is worth the price they pay. A price she herself is now expected to pay in full.<br /> <br />Can she save herself and an island that doesn't want saving? To even try, she'll have to fight fate, defy the gods and seek the help of an outsider. Of the love she cannot have. The one she will not live without.</i></blockquote>
I really fell hard for the characters in this book, even the supporting characters. <br />
<br />
Annabell is fierce, and a force to be reckoned with despite her brutal upbringing. Her father's attempts to make her into a meek, obedient daughter failed miserably. If anything it made her stronger and more rebellious.... with just a touch of sarcasm. She was easy to connect with and I really wanted to be her friend... even if it meant certain death. So I could absolutely understand why her friends were so desperate to save her.<br />
<br />
Then you have Ro, who was just so damn easy to fall in love with. He's got that witty charm thing down pat, and it doesn't hurt that all I saw every time someone described him was Bash from Reign... right down to those sexy blue eyes...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj428sRrc3BMpKcPj2Ei6DoekxTv7XehQG0lAjOPkmjnzrWVM9C2njnD2MR4ONF8pHF3UM4AaQCK457p8tlqxqMXLw9Y-Zw5K-P2xWxjgI4MvK3a7khSNRQHtC-vZLjHZ9bKpVZyjGu2ZE/s1600/ROARKE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj428sRrc3BMpKcPj2Ei6DoekxTv7XehQG0lAjOPkmjnzrWVM9C2njnD2MR4ONF8pHF3UM4AaQCK457p8tlqxqMXLw9Y-Zw5K-P2xWxjgI4MvK3a7khSNRQHtC-vZLjHZ9bKpVZyjGu2ZE/s1600/ROARKE.jpg" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>On a completely unrelated note - Go TeamBASH!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then of course you have the Prince, Fredrick, who I honestly kind of hated for a minute because I thought he was sleazy and untrustworthy. However, I did eventually decide he was pretty freaking awesome, and I'm kind of glad my silent urging for him to go jump off a cliff failed miserably. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then you have all the supporting characters: Annabell's friends, her mother, Patrick, and Ro's family - that are just truly amazing characters in their own rights that you can't help but love. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
The book begins with Annabell as a child. Annabell is at the mercy of her father who uses her as his pawn to move himself up in society. He is not above using cruelty and abuse to keep her in line. Her entire life is planned and her every mistake severely punished. Her only solitude is the mysterious maze on the castle grounds. It's in this maze that she first meets Ro. The two quickly form a forbidden friendship which over time becomes a forbidden love, and then... then things get crazy. The rest of the book is pretty much a whirlwind of insanity that may or may not cause emotional whiplash.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaSkAzYxz3_yyDRE_fZIsvY6d6Nkrcrwqbx0SEJdQtVElch-SYvM_0gLBcqfnwaoLgtl7fg2WbdqOjaMwoTw_QegU5uUdPPkfsncqraOdB3S6DLspyVBgEpF9WhKSnDY4sw2QzXt27-Y/s1600/SUFFER.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaSkAzYxz3_yyDRE_fZIsvY6d6Nkrcrwqbx0SEJdQtVElch-SYvM_0gLBcqfnwaoLgtl7fg2WbdqOjaMwoTw_QegU5uUdPPkfsncqraOdB3S6DLspyVBgEpF9WhKSnDY4sw2QzXt27-Y/s1600/SUFFER.gif" height="161" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
By the time it got to the actual climax, I was already kind of emotionally on edge trying to wrap my head around how in the hell this was all going to work out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx1xEqE7zl4J0Shbc9ucJTSR11I9f_oIUHJnmr4NEPu5zdBtmYz-DlXcMpC5BrUJS9SKiDM3J6JELUDKTPreoaTG7beVZwnuvmVUJZxAk8VPMlT1UKvuoVuvYmZWpEa1QHiuXtrx8fLY/s1600/FEELS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx1xEqE7zl4J0Shbc9ucJTSR11I9f_oIUHJnmr4NEPu5zdBtmYz-DlXcMpC5BrUJS9SKiDM3J6JELUDKTPreoaTG7beVZwnuvmVUJZxAk8VPMlT1UKvuoVuvYmZWpEa1QHiuXtrx8fLY/s1600/FEELS.gif" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>My list of emotional upheavals in this book looks about like that list....</i></div>
<br />
The last few chapters just kinda threw me right on over the edge. Those final few chapters where the shit hit the fan had me totally stressed out. That's not a bad thing either. I love when a book gets me so invested in the characters that I actually feel stressed and panicked about their situations. Dissever had me totally freaking out and screaming at the book like a crazy person. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iXU25iDAMnO-1o3H9tif-IuWi4HBXPVbGzLIwt3ubu6Ca2y7CmaZPcadPy1NDCZHC3dqT9ZziiDAcosknQXVSMEEfiDrvgs9AzS_kN-dGcxn6WiJfslb_vi5HnBORoD0bDw1_A8Tuzc/s1600/TOO+MUCH.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iXU25iDAMnO-1o3H9tif-IuWi4HBXPVbGzLIwt3ubu6Ca2y7CmaZPcadPy1NDCZHC3dqT9ZziiDAcosknQXVSMEEfiDrvgs9AzS_kN-dGcxn6WiJfslb_vi5HnBORoD0bDw1_A8Tuzc/s1600/TOO+MUCH.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I want to spoil the ending so bad because it was soooo not what I was expecting to happen, but I can't do that.... so you'll just have to read it yourself.<br />
<br />
This book is definitely going on my "favorites" shelf, and I would absolutely, without a doubt, recommend you read it!<br />
<br />This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-79401614703053038822014-02-18T19:06:00.000-05:002014-02-18T19:09:08.667-05:00Make Me a Match by Lori Brighton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qKHMChuO1XRK6jUy14RO9hXTzvSgQ0rk1cWxML2YyzDw8b1CVoN4LIIAdWVHrHlM4OPmy0fzWh-QpkAKYz1dHZcR2o1ZweZ8okBnbtliK_x-ptDwYnr9K9IYGP2-qRWIjUMJRxj4J1I/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qKHMChuO1XRK6jUy14RO9hXTzvSgQ0rk1cWxML2YyzDw8b1CVoN4LIIAdWVHrHlM4OPmy0fzWh-QpkAKYz1dHZcR2o1ZweZ8okBnbtliK_x-ptDwYnr9K9IYGP2-qRWIjUMJRxj4J1I/s1600/COVER.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Make Me a Match<br />
<br />
Lori Brighton<br />
<br />
2.5/5.0<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. It was a very middle of the road kinda story to me. <br />
<br />
The idea was awesome, however I felt like the plot was thin in places. I found the whole 17 year old girl, raising her sister and running her own PI business hard to swallow. So I guess that kind of tripped me up coming out of the gate. As the story progressed it seemed like things that weren't all that important were long and detailed, and then important things were skimmed over and I was left to try and fill in the gaps. <br />
<br />
As for the characters, I liked Emma's fierce determination and independent spirit, but her stubbornness bordered on stupidity at times. Owen seemed like a good guy, but I wasn't crushing on him or anything. The characters just didn't grab me. It's not that they were bad, they just didn't do it for me. <br />
<br />
The story definitely had some high points, and even a few edge of your seat moments. So it definitely wasn't all bad. There just weren't enough of them to keep me dying to flip the page and read the next chapter. There were a lot of points where I truly struggled to hang in there. <br />
<br />
The end didn't really blow me away either. I guess I might have been more emotionally impacted if I really liked the characters, but as it stood, I was just kind of whatever about it. <br />
<br />
Overall, I almost kind of felt like the characters were geared for someone much younger, even though some of the situations didn't seem quite as young. The story would have benefited from a little less romantic angst and a lot more action and suspense. <br />
<br />
It really wasn't a TERRIBLE read, but it unfortunately didn't end up on my list of favorite reads. </div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-84266204125246084142014-02-13T05:11:00.002-05:002014-02-13T05:11:53.102-05:00Release Day Launch: The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm3_TzbeMhGEgK17bBSmmGyD9oFSwcG9M0SjlH4YA8S_PjU7U5MxIwycOg-UbB2e-klRxXEbr_yfTiULZHG3sDnc0-CuqqBCBDzwWjZhBddRkZfJU3QNuijgvze6CYqwXEhLoyjKpyXg/s1600/DEOTS_Cover+04_front.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvXm6WeJdg66lV7GQ337p4ubPAkLPSMw5ojF_dLRr3Ks41XA1ZBB7ATa5cFH5DInFqKQBWRn0YxUGkF8zLeKHv7mjG06gLiQ3w75cl3xgWMXYg8Yy6MzYz_x5QCDeQS7ki58UpqYGc7E/s1600/RDL+Banner.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvXm6WeJdg66lV7GQ337p4ubPAkLPSMw5ojF_dLRr3Ks41XA1ZBB7ATa5cFH5DInFqKQBWRn0YxUGkF8zLeKHv7mjG06gLiQ3w75cl3xgWMXYg8Yy6MzYz_x5QCDeQS7ki58UpqYGc7E/s1600/RDL+Banner.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: start;">Today we are celebrating the newest book by Heather Lyons, The Deep End of the Sea. You guys know how much I love me some mythology. I've never read a book about Medusa and I can't wait to! Be sure to scroll down for a special excerpt and enter the giveaway to win a SIGNED copy of the book and some other goodies!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XJAf_VuNpHZqzYtXhgdV3zk6MQv7oS_PA78UuO59nlpOUcGZ7jJXwEycLHLP7ZvdEZeDxzveoecZ8QMH8OduaRba_inS37LKn4qTTji4c6bKAaEq3brsfia9BLwAy36v4tmA6afHje4/s1600/DEOTS_Cover+04_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XJAf_VuNpHZqzYtXhgdV3zk6MQv7oS_PA78UuO59nlpOUcGZ7jJXwEycLHLP7ZvdEZeDxzveoecZ8QMH8OduaRba_inS37LKn4qTTji4c6bKAaEq3brsfia9BLwAy36v4tmA6afHje4/s1600/DEOTS_Cover+04_front.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYmYJD0onGkW1a8Lbeb-4pdaqeVT3tp1LXalww1Dan4q9MhsFoDXyPiC_utZqwuKOIglMV43aRKWdUtMLk_i9FkXEJSwRvHfumFa3ZBGGK9Z8otubK1GJj2ZcwUaXKJXdYEa9txYLzBI/s1600/keep_calm_medusa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYmYJD0onGkW1a8Lbeb-4pdaqeVT3tp1LXalww1Dan4q9MhsFoDXyPiC_utZqwuKOIglMV43aRKWdUtMLk_i9FkXEJSwRvHfumFa3ZBGGK9Z8otubK1GJj2ZcwUaXKJXdYEa9txYLzBI/s1600/keep_calm_medusa.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Excerpt:</b><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where are Hades and Persephone?” I ask, glancing around the empty living room. They are nowhere to be seen tonight; neither are any of the Automatons.<br /><br /> The corner of Hermes’ mouth quirks. “Out. Possibly in the Underworld. One never knows with those two.”<br /><br /> Relief unfurls in the muscles in my shoulders. Still, I can’t help but ask, “Without saying goodbye?”<br /><br /> He’s definitely amused. “Shall I fetch them for you?”<br /><br /> “No!” My answer is too quick, which I fear broadcasts just how ecstatic I am at the thought of being along with Hermes right now. And that realization causes me to blush for the millionth time around him in the last month, so I clarify, “Of course not. I was just curious.”<br /><br /> “Curiosity killed the cat, you know.” To my delight, his hand finds mine and our fingers intertwine. It is a delicious sensation: his hand, warm and worn in mine in just such a way that feels like it’s an extension of my body.<br /><br /> It must be criminal to adore touching someone so much.<br /><br /> “Did it, though?” I ask, and he laughs a burst of exasperated air.<br /><br /> “Possibly, but then again, who am I to judge, when I am often struck by curiosity that I cannot help but sate?” He gives me that dazzling grin of his and pulls me through the house. “Case in point: you.”<br /><br /> “Me?” I squeak unattractively. There are lights ahead through the French doors leading to the patio, and I am curious myself enough to wonder what they are, but not nearly as much as I am for what he might mean.<br /><br /> “Yes, you.” He glances back at me. “I’ve never told you that I was overcome with curiosity when I heard Athena cursed some girl from one of her temples. It wasn’t like it was the first time she’d gone vindictively bonkers, but she was really put out over you. I mean . . . one of her followers? Even that was low for her.” His fingers squeeze mine gently and we stop about twenty feet from the doors. “When I first showed up on your island . . .”<br /><br /> I am helpless at looking anywhere but in his eyes. Tonight, they’re green. Vivid, beautiful, clear green. “Yes?”<br /><br /> “I’d been warned that you were a monster and that I best keep my distance. That you would slay me at the slightest provocation, and naturally, I believed it, as I could not blame anyone’s hatred toward my family after what my sister and uncle had done to you. But once Death handed me that first soul and departed, I heard you crying. My curiosity inflamed tenfold. What kind of so-called monster weeps like her heart had shattered and never would form whole again?”<br /><br /> Like clockwork, my cheeks burn. His fingers brush my reddened skin ever so gently before I turn my face to rest in his hand. The butterflies in my chest swarm frantically. “My sister misjudged you. I knew that the very second I heard your anguish. I’m afraid I was lost to you from that moment on. I had to discover all that made you you, even if I would suffer the same fate as the proverbial cat. And I never cared about the risks, as long as my curiosity about you was sated first.”<br /><br /> “Truly?” The word barely escapes my lips.<br /><br /> His eyes are so intense. “Truly.”</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPwdLJfQPdScQmf36XC-WGyM0ZMIyGV4CKKVXDPJCnDht1shaj6-7xsHJqbQOG1M4DIYKJQPTgbMa-OAZ693fgeNNytN_hzdxLJBQP53rrhCJ6fptxDqhwTdZ26z0TbPqUNk7DctRAEE/s1600/Author+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPwdLJfQPdScQmf36XC-WGyM0ZMIyGV4CKKVXDPJCnDht1shaj6-7xsHJqbQOG1M4DIYKJQPTgbMa-OAZ693fgeNNytN_hzdxLJBQP53rrhCJ6fptxDqhwTdZ26z0TbPqUNk7DctRAEE/s1600/Author+Photo.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">About Heather Lyons:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><b>Links:</b><br /><br />Website: <a href="http://www.heatherlyons.net/">http://www.heatherlyons.net</a><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Author Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/heatherlyons">http://www.goodreads.com/heatherlyons</a><br /><br />THE DEEP END OF THE SEA Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18844839-the-deep-end-of-the-sea?ac=1">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18844839-the-deep-end-of-the-sea?ac=1</a><br /><br />Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/hymheather">https://twitter.com/hymheather</a><br /><br />Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heatherlyonsbooks?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/heatherlyonsbooks?fref=ts</a><br /><br />Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/hymheather/">http://www.pinterest.com/hymheather/</a></span>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1125/" id="rc-9172c1125" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-VbJJKYOC_Ck%2FUvyU_JGc-HI%2FAAAAAAAAA18%2Fz06yEMXOtx4%2Fs1600%2FRDL%2BBanner.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvXm6WeJdg66lV7GQ337p4ubPAkLPSMw5ojF_dLRr3Ks41XA1ZBB7ATa5cFH5DInFqKQBWRn0YxUGkF8zLeKHv7mjG06gLiQ3w75cl3xgWMXYg8Yy6MzYz_x5QCDeQS7ki58UpqYGc7E/s1600/RDL+Banner.jpg" -->This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-37664257782842393712014-02-10T18:44:00.002-05:002014-02-10T18:45:17.794-05:00Such Sweet Sorrow by Jenny Trout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmes8oXX8F1-_2YHi1-KBit8bAAFZeLdzlHTfTABN16so4lsJC_zPDRxBt_jCYpgeT_NALRxEmP9BN9pd6NL7hgtdUHXdpFpGnzv7OUyF6-5mgiDBQCEWboMq44Pts3HTflxgs0o-_gIk/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmes8oXX8F1-_2YHi1-KBit8bAAFZeLdzlHTfTABN16so4lsJC_zPDRxBt_jCYpgeT_NALRxEmP9BN9pd6NL7hgtdUHXdpFpGnzv7OUyF6-5mgiDBQCEWboMq44Pts3HTflxgs0o-_gIk/s1600/COVER.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Such Sweet Sorrow<br />
<br />
Jenny Trout<br />
<br />
4.0/5.0<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Never was there a tale of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo…But true love never dies. Though they’re parted by the veil between the world of mortals and the land of the dead, Romeo believes he can restore Juliet to life, but he’ll have to travel to the underworld with a thoroughly infuriating guide.<br />
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, may not have inherited his father’s crown, but the murdered king left his son a much more important responsibility—a portal to the Afterjord, where the souls of the dead reside. When the determined Romeo asks for help traversing the treacherous Afterjord, Hamlet sees an opportunity for adventure, and the chance to avenge his father’s death.<br />
In an underworld filled with leviathan monsters, ghoulish shades, fire giants and fierce Valkyrie warriors, Hamlet and Romeo must battle their way through jealousy, despair, and their darkest fears to rescue the fair damsel. Yet finding Juliet is only the beginning, and the Afterjord doesn’t surrender souls without a price…</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
O... M... G! How could you NOT love that blurb!? I literally freaked out trying to get on Netgalley to request this. When they approved me, if I had been ABLE to do cartwheels, I would have been cartwheeling all over the place like a cheerleader on crack. I mean, c'mon, Shakespeare, Mythology, JENNY TROUT! OMG!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And of course, it's Jenny Trout, and she does NOT disappoint. I absolutely adored this story. The whole concept of Romeo not dying and venturing into the Afterjord to find Juliet is interesting enough on it's own. Then she throws in Hamlet too, and it's like awesome overload. Hamlet is, beyond question, my favorite character out of all of Shakespeare's work. Jenny Trout totally does him justice in this book. He's still that intelligent, snarky persona that I loved so much in Hamlet. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I wasn't such a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet back in the day, however, I was a huge fan of Juliet in this story. Jenny Trout transforms her into a very strong female character that I can identify with and appreciate. Romeo didn't really do much for me. His love for Juliet was admirable, but he was still whiny and annoying. However, it didn't stop me from enjoying the book at all. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The end is a bit of a cliffhanger, but I haven't heard anything official about a book two... so... FINGERS CROSSED!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All in all, I absolutely love it, and I would totally recommend it to anyone who has a soft spot for Shakespeare or mythology... or just awesomeness in general. This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-37660551904419777582014-02-08T17:26:00.002-05:002014-02-08T17:27:30.509-05:00Cursed (Voodoo Nights) by Lizzy Ford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFGWTQz20kS2HcvfDRz7U5ldgyGfjcdfGbdVzk65ewiv0sVALsdqIOMI35NYIlkQwku_60TFMcSjTyM1SZbys0hYZxVbgYiPgTx7j-ndik913F-mVMjJlmUtoZv4RDwHftc6VFXLa9rg/s1600/18522974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFGWTQz20kS2HcvfDRz7U5ldgyGfjcdfGbdVzk65ewiv0sVALsdqIOMI35NYIlkQwku_60TFMcSjTyM1SZbys0hYZxVbgYiPgTx7j-ndik913F-mVMjJlmUtoZv4RDwHftc6VFXLa9rg/s1600/18522974.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></div>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
<pre class="review-body-display display" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: none !important; color: #333333; font-family: inherit !important; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px !important; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 600px; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;"></pre>
Cursed (Voodoo Nights)<br />
Lizzy Ford<br />
3.5/5.0<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Overall, personally, I'd give it like 3.5 stars.
However, I think someone just a little bit younger than me would probably rate it much higher.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The story has a lot going for it. Its a really, really interesting premise. I felt like the curse spanning the four families very intriguing. The author did a really good job of giving you enough information to understand what was going on, while leaving enough mystery to keep you turning pages like a madman trying to figure it out. The end was brilliant. I'm dying to know what happens from here. I felt like the author broke my heart, but then gave me just enough hope to want to read the next book. I love a cliffhanger, and this one is done pretty well. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think a lot of my caveats with this book just stem from me being nearly 30. I'm not a big fan of high school drama, and it kind of got on my nerves. Additionally, while I liked the main character, I found her to be sort of weak, whiny, and sometimes downright annoying. When she decided to do something really stupid (like walk the streets alone) she was super brave about it. However, when it was something silly like talking to Jayden, she suddenly was so timid she ran and hid... literally. Additionally, she was lacking that self confidence that I really appreciate in female leads. She seemed to be more worried about how everyone was looking at her and how she wasn't pretty enough more than anything else. I think I would have liked her a lot more if she had a bit more of a bad-ass streak and some self confidence. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, despite my dislike of these things, I do think that someone younger, maybe still in high school, may find the character easier to identify with.
Overall, its not a bad read, and I'll definitely be picking up book two to figure out where the rest of this story goes. </div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-72567356078535781442014-02-08T04:41:00.000-05:002014-02-08T04:48:07.202-05:00Review: Waterfell by Amalie Howard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJRsApwzRsWJQLTlL1p0oTwdGcB2__lVOtPlg4jTWKQx38NvLtQDpRE1KCR6Ds2VUeTeNeOkEsR9Mr2O3eIaWrjJYH_8_YM4uqJopELoyfs2eJ5X9JDEJ6K8ia1-8jYzBFkvCa1p6apA/s1600/waterfell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJRsApwzRsWJQLTlL1p0oTwdGcB2__lVOtPlg4jTWKQx38NvLtQDpRE1KCR6Ds2VUeTeNeOkEsR9Mr2O3eIaWrjJYH_8_YM4uqJopELoyfs2eJ5X9JDEJ6K8ia1-8jYzBFkvCa1p6apA/s1600/waterfell.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waterfell</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Aquarathi, #1)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amelie Howard</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.0/5.0 stars</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />Disclaimer: At 62% I gave up torturing myself and just skimmed the rest of it.<br /><br />I tried sooo hard but I just couldn't do it guys. I kept on reading thinking praying this would get better. But it got to the point where I either skimmed it or my head was going to start spinning like the exorcist chick. I wish I could say something nice about this book but I hated everything about it. <br /><br />Waterfell is about Nerissa, an Aquarathi (basically a sea monster) princess who came onto land when her parents died. She is afraid of the responsibility of being the Queen and the potential threats she would face. So her plan is to stay on land and just play human forever. <br /><br />Nerissa -I think I hate Rissa more than any other MC I've ever read. She was selfish, immature, petty and a whole bunch of other bad adjectives. She doesn't want to take on the responsibility of being a queen but she sure has no qualms with acting like a spoiled little princess and tossing her royalty into her companions' faces to get her way. Anytime she was in any "danger" I was hoping she'd get hurt. In fact, I wanted to jump through the book myself and punch her in the face every few pages. I was sooo frustrated by how clueless she is. She whines and angsts out over bs while ignoring obvious things a ten year old could figure out.<br /><br />Lotharius Seavon- Lotharious. Seavon. *eyeroll* seriously? I don't know how naming him that ever seemed like a good idea. I also don't see why comparing his hair to wet sand is a good thing, but I digress. He's a competitive surfer from Hawaii who is the object of Rissa's affection obsession. He was supposedly cocky and arrogant in what I think was supposed to be a Daemon-esque way but he just ended up being bland. The only cocky thing he really did was smile smugly and make an occasional quip that wasn't even that sharp. <br /><br />The other characters all seem designed to make plot devices happen. They all praise Rissa and show her loyalty that I think is supposed to make me think she's awesome, cuz hey- she has to be for these people to love her, right? Or in one of their cases make Lo seem like something special. Because they don't easily like new people so he must just instinctually know this new kid is cool. Once in a blue moon one of them will finally call her out on her bs but then they apologize almost immediately after. *headdesk*<br /><br />Cara- the arch-nemesis and former best friend. She was the first reason I hated Rissa. Rissa talks nonstop about how horrible and mean she is. Problem is- Rissa is actually the horrible mean one. Cara's reason for ending their friendship is completely understandable, Rissa continues to antagonize her and all Cara does is give her dirty looks. In one of the first scenes (while they are in a game with their field hockey team) Rissa refuses to pass to her out of petty spite while telling us how mean and immature Cara is. Umm....WHAT??? I still don't understand where the author was going with the Rissa/Cara thing. It just made me hate Rissa more and more.<br /><br />The romance- I don't even know whether to laugh or slam my head into the table a few times to see if I can erase it from my memory. This is instalove hell. She sees him and his wet sand hair and is like OhMiGaaawd but she doesn't want to like him so she acts like a total bitch. She's mad if he's trying to talk to her but she's mad if he isn't. If he even acknowledges another female exists she's livid but she lashes out at him anytime he so much as glances at her. So much angst for no reason and it takes over the entire plot. No, scratch that, it basically is the whole plot. <br /><br />Plot twists- Smfh. I saw everything coming from ten miles away. The fact that Nerissa didn't just made me even more agitated with her. Hello, stop angsting and whining for five seconds and you might actually see what's going on. Also- the names...*headdesk*. <br /><br />I hate writing negative reviews but there was just nothing redeemable about this for me. I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone unless you love instalove and ridiculous angst. </span>This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-67134631682857062502014-02-05T21:33:00.000-05:002014-02-05T21:35:33.821-05:00The Second Sign and The Second Shadow by Elizabeth Arroyo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF1wVHcIMnWM3hTsJaG-P7a9RS6XScLJJEDOstElh5Tyw6Bg0llNSmSNsikZDYwLwJdvtmjS59lnat-niDp7QuPoAa9GJlTv0lEUABn8sB9FevERzezkB9PD7PaoiUa639A918pB7nuU/s1600/SIGN+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF1wVHcIMnWM3hTsJaG-P7a9RS6XScLJJEDOstElh5Tyw6Bg0llNSmSNsikZDYwLwJdvtmjS59lnat-niDp7QuPoAa9GJlTv0lEUABn8sB9FevERzezkB9PD7PaoiUa639A918pB7nuU/s1600/SIGN+COVER.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE-Lul4GofYgqEIzvtR4az9WnKXbo1UBMFQTWMA1az-32pjnmu32_qR75nx8pFCYZggylvTTiqHxRP4uHkQvRNTMKflnVBn2z79Hm3SI46TFAC2kPWOor0OUI4EQVwbIY6w-VVjxWSVg/s1600/SHADOW+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE-Lul4GofYgqEIzvtR4az9WnKXbo1UBMFQTWMA1az-32pjnmu32_qR75nx8pFCYZggylvTTiqHxRP4uHkQvRNTMKflnVBn2z79Hm3SI46TFAC2kPWOor0OUI4EQVwbIY6w-VVjxWSVg/s1600/SHADOW+COVER.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Second Sign</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Elizabeth Arroyo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3.5/5.0</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Second Shadow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Elizabeth Arroyo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4.5/5.0</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was super nervous about this series. I absolutely loved the blurbs for both of the books, so of course, I caved and requested both of them. I kinda forgot about it and then... I got approved. That's when I suddenly realized just how many times I had picked up a book about angels/demons and then absolutely hated it. However, I said I'd do it, and I put on my big girl panties and hunkered down. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started reading the books and I realized that, I, in fact, didn't like these books..... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I ABSOLUTELY FRIGGIN' LOVED THEM!!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdFUQT6qpUPPYwjm0EbiDBJQWeKwsmGIeCwWeXxgXK7CVMlWBpLcpSnCZ5Bbrdb5L5GowKYnOuAvIwGHiWsNYYVTIMcAM7X18hnzyCpo3SmXxrAZ7KY7QV_-JGl_cFNkRpROX9NtM2qA/s1600/FANGIRLING_-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdFUQT6qpUPPYwjm0EbiDBJQWeKwsmGIeCwWeXxgXK7CVMlWBpLcpSnCZ5Bbrdb5L5GowKYnOuAvIwGHiWsNYYVTIMcAM7X18hnzyCpo3SmXxrAZ7KY7QV_-JGl_cFNkRpROX9NtM2qA/s1600/FANGIRLING_-2.gif" height="135" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They seriously embody everything I love in a book. They are dark, gritty, intense, and should totally come with a warning label or two. Some of the scenes in this book read like a horror movie. Not one of those cheesy horror movies you watch and laugh about, but like a for real horror flick. I actually attempted to start reading this before I went to bed one night and had to put it down because I found myself doing this:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnflXYU8cPWCPq8zW3SkC75GRSz1jxt5JjfHKrafHEN1MLdCqaQ6_6qk65DW4JHmn2_Enfc3CD6UQEsWR-DyJNwmWy-d8yU35otrG2BsPeO2m8KLNlzDQG4_yyy0wna5ZdaJRpBpHEZA/s1600/AFRAID+TO+FALL+ASLEEP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnflXYU8cPWCPq8zW3SkC75GRSz1jxt5JjfHKrafHEN1MLdCqaQ6_6qk65DW4JHmn2_Enfc3CD6UQEsWR-DyJNwmWy-d8yU35otrG2BsPeO2m8KLNlzDQG4_yyy0wna5ZdaJRpBpHEZA/s1600/AFRAID+TO+FALL+ASLEEP.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only my other hand was still trying to hold the book above the blankie peek hole so I could still read.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I made myself put it down, and attempted to sleep... only to end up waking up every hour with some seriously wicked nightmares. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbmwCZCq_FcAMxCkgRFCqEuP-wmXABr7DP1qzOld_IA8niL6ihFDqCqN-_hG2pPSQ1uK-ev0Fz_cA0E2Suix_Kmiz_Ev2KOhCxT-coZiDfRuIZUJvsIrez8obWTxQigqZXr-qWzm9kKs/s1600/SCREAM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbmwCZCq_FcAMxCkgRFCqEuP-wmXABr7DP1qzOld_IA8niL6ihFDqCqN-_hG2pPSQ1uK-ev0Fz_cA0E2Suix_Kmiz_Ev2KOhCxT-coZiDfRuIZUJvsIrez8obWTxQigqZXr-qWzm9kKs/s1600/SCREAM.jpg" height="140" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However, once daylight hit, I was back to reading in full force and actually read through both books in one day. They were THAT good. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I really loved the main characters. Gabby has such a messed up life and bad luck follows her everywhere. I love that she doesn't let it tear her down, and instead it just makes her stronger. Jake is a bit tricky. One minute I was all about Jake, and then the next I wanted to stab him with a spork and watch him bleed out slowly. It was kind of a fun ride though. My favorite character in the whole series has got to be Jose however, because Jose is freaking awesome. He's got a serious streak of bad-ass and his humor provided some seriously well placed comic relief. He might just be a supporting character, but he seriously stole the spotlight for me. If you asked me for a list of my favorite lines, almost all of them would be Jose's. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The story line, the pacing, the intensity, everything - was perfect. It's a very, very well written series, and I highly, highly recommend you read it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4EgCJECFrFxNheC8bveeSWL_sxbRqqvtb7NMOreujVbVpPDlWh4FM_hZMG9yHnUDN8taWxH9pSNrFVrfnZ4Uhv1DbLXFmSznncC0PeaxcPHDWUE3XtucB33mUMONlnGCDU2dM-O29Ng/s1600/heart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4EgCJECFrFxNheC8bveeSWL_sxbRqqvtb7NMOreujVbVpPDlWh4FM_hZMG9yHnUDN8taWxH9pSNrFVrfnZ4Uhv1DbLXFmSznncC0PeaxcPHDWUE3XtucB33mUMONlnGCDU2dM-O29Ng/s1600/heart.gif" height="320" width="306" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-65785586372049433512014-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-04T06:53:38.463-05:00Release Day Launch: Be With Me by J. Lynn<div class="MsoNormal">
We are extremely excited to say that J. Lynn's BE WITH ME
has been released!!! BE WITH ME is a New Adult contemporary romance being
published by Avon (William Morrow), an imprint of HarperCollins, and is a part
of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s With You Saga. Jennifer Armentrout is one of my favorite authors and even inspired the name of this blog. The emotions of her characters leap off the page and the steam factor is, well... *fans self*. Go grab a copy of BE WITH ME today! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Be-With-Me-Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Be With Me - Cover" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1883" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Be-With-Me-Cover.jpg" height="451" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BE WITH ME Synopsis:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
From the author of the #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestseller <i>Wait for You</i>
<i>Do Teresa and Jase have a real shot at getting together or will life get in the way?</i>
Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she's in love with her big brother's best friend, but he hasn't spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing kiss. Then she got out of a terrible relationship. Now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It's time for plan B: college. And maybe she'll have a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.
Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he's not telling anyone—especially not his best friend's incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn't have time for a relationship. But it doesn't help that all he can think about is kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.
As they're thrown together more and more, Jase and Teresa can't keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they're willing to risk to be together and what they're willing to lose if they're not. . . .
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>EXCERPT:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
“You got a visitor, Tess.” He rested his chin atop my head,
which caused my pulse to try<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
to outrun my heart. “Two of them to be exact.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Okay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a pause. “Are your eyes closed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His chin slid off my head and then his chest rumbled as he
laughed. “Your eyes are<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
closed.” He laughed again. “Open them up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cursing under my breath, I pried one eye open and then
jerked against him. His arm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
tightened. “Oh wow …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The black-and-white horse was the closest, standing mere
feet away from me. The brown<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
one wasn’t too far, shaking its head and making soft snorts.
My eyes were wide as they bounced<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
between the two creatures. “They’re not carnivorous, right?
Because at their size, they could eat<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jase laughed deeply as his hand shifted up, resting in the
center of my stomach, just<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
below my breasts. “Horses do not eat people, you little
idiot.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started, eyes narrowing. “There’s always a first.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lips pulled back on the black-and-white horse as if it
was smirking at me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This one right here? Mr. Friendly? Jack calls him Bubba
One,” he said in a quiet,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
calming voice. But air hitched in my throat when his thumb
moved in a slow circle over the thin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
material of my tank top, hitting against the wire in my bra.
“And the brown one is Bubba Two.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mouth dry, I wetted my lips. “That’s good for remembering
names.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He chuckled as his pinkie and forefinger started to move up
and down, reaching my belly<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
button and then sliding back up. It was almost as if he was
unaware of what he was doing, or the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
electrifying response the tiny motions were dragging out of
me. “I think so too, but his real name<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
is Lightning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Said horse shook his head, tossing the shaggy mane.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lightning seems to be a more suitable name,” I admitted,
relaxing as the seconds<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
passed. Maybe that was his intention. Distract me with the
soft, almost innocent touches. It was<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
working. “What about Bubba Two?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah, the one who is staring at the pail like it’s the holy
mecca of grain?” His cheek<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
grazed mine as I laughed. “That’s Thunder. And we’re going
to feed them. Together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The friction his fingers created with my shirt sent tiny
shivers up and down my back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“With our hands?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His answering laugh tipped the corners of my lips up. “Yes.
With our hands.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“After checking out the choppers on them, I’m not so sure
about that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll be okay.” He slid his hand off my stomach and
wrapped it around my wrist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slowly, he lifted my hand out in front of me. “Hold still.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heart lurched. “Jase—”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lightning trotted forward and pressed his wet nose against
my hand. I cringed, waiting<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for him to eat my poor fingers. The horse didn’t. Nope. It
nudged my hand as it whinnied softly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He guided my hand up over Lightning’s jaw, all the way to
the pointy, twitchy ears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“See?” he murmured. “That’s not too bad, is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shook my head as my fingers curled along the soft coat.
Lightning seemed to anticipate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the direction of the petting, pressing his long head against
my hand as my fingers tangled in his<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
mane. It wasn’t bad at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jase shifted behind me, and in an instant all thoughts of
the horses evaporated. His hips<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
lined up against my backside, and I bit down on my lower lip
as I focused on the white splotch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
covering Lightning’s muzzle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could feel him—feel Jase. And there was absolutely no
doubt in my mind that he was<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
affected by how close we were standing. That knowledge and
the hard length of him left me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
dizzy, just like it had done that Saturday night. An all too
warm flush spread down my neck. In<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the back of my head, I was rationalizing his physical
reaction. He was a guy. Our bodies were pressed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
together. If a wind blew on a guy’s private area, they got
hard. So I should just ignore it,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
but my body was so not on board with my head. My body was
operating on a different playing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
field. An ache centered low in my stomach. A sharp and sweet
yearning raced through my veins.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not so scary, right?” His voice was deeper, richer.
“They’re like dogs. Well, like a dog<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
that can carry around two hundred pounds, if not more.” Hand
sliding off mine, he stepped back,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and the sudden emptiness of his body was like a cold shock.
“Trust me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then he smacked my ass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<b>Buy Links:</b>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Be-Me-Novel-Wait-You-ebook/dp/B00DB3D99M/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1390362601&sr=8-1&keywords=be+with+me+jennifer+armentrout">Amazon</a>
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-with-me-j-lynn/1115475046?ean=9780062294791">Barnes and Noble</a>
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Release-Day-Launch.jpg"><img alt="Release Day Launch" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1884" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Release-Day-Launch.jpg" height="300" width="650" /></a></b>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Author-Photo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Author Photo" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1882" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Author-Photo-200x300.jpg" height="300" width="200" /></a>
<b></b><br />
<b>Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn Bio:</b>
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1123/" id="rc-9172c1123" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<b>Links:</b><br />
Website: <a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/">http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout">https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout">https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout</a><br />
J.Lynn Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/699143.J_Lynn">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/699143.J_Lynn</a><br />
Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout</a><br />
BE WITH ME Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17558817-be-with-me?ac=1">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17558817-be-with-me?ac=1</a>This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-27687622795878165422014-01-27T13:08:00.001-05:002014-01-27T13:14:22.407-05:00Review: Tin Star by Cecil Castellucci<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DY_tna-H5vS4iv1-dSAixsTlekhjRhnCB3j3qpFMx-uYpDWFw0G3pfDuiBA_4HHaygWAn11U-FJXgT94DrjCGxy-nkjq5HfRCscCC_PFtICDOzq-TfgAcFwsAeDs7sstu0htsmhyphenhyphenPvI/s1600/tinstar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DY_tna-H5vS4iv1-dSAixsTlekhjRhnCB3j3qpFMx-uYpDWFw0G3pfDuiBA_4HHaygWAn11U-FJXgT94DrjCGxy-nkjq5HfRCscCC_PFtICDOzq-TfgAcFwsAeDs7sstu0htsmhyphenhyphenPvI/s1600/tinstar.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tin Star</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cecil Castellucci</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />There was a lot about Tin Star that I really enjoyed. It was a unique tale that didn’t always go in the cliché ways I predicted it would. There was so much about it that I really did like but alas I just needed more. So be prepared to hear that a lot in this review. <br /><br />Tin Star begins with our amiable protagonist, Tula Bane, being beaten to near death just for being perceptive and daring to question Brother Blue. She is then left for dead on an out of the way space station where there are no other humans. She manages to survive with the help of a lovable yet mischievous alien, Heckleck. He not only helps her survive but he teaches her how to thrive in this alien environment. Everything is going relatively smoothly until three humans arrive on the space station. <br /><br />I liked Tula but I had a hard time emotionally connecting to her. And everybody knows I am ultimately an emotional reader. She really became more alien-like after years being the only human and I really think that was why I had such a tough time connecting with her. It was fascinating to watch her struggle to connect with the other humans after being around aliens for so long but if you’re an emotional reader like me it may make it a struggle for you to fully invest in her. <br /><br />I loved the aliens and the differences between each species’ behavior was well thought out. I was weary of Heckleck initially since he’s quite manipulative and cunning but he ended up being my favorite character of the entire book. I also enjoyed the other main alien character, Tourdar. He is a Loor and one of the leaders on the space station. He wasn’t the most forthcoming but I loved his protective nature.<br /><br />The humans were a big disappointment for me. I didn’t feel like I got to know any of them very well and they were all rather bland. I just needed more depth from them so I could understand why they did the things they did. <br /><br />Brother Blue was the big villain of the book but he wasn’t around enough for me to truly begin to understand him either. When he was around he was horrible but I needed to see more of him and his motivations to make him truly terrifying. I like the set-up with him but I’m really hoping that he gets fleshed out more in the next book.<br /><br />The romance argh- where to even begin? The blurb is really misdirecting on this. There is a little romance but it’s very rushed and glossed over and not at all one of those that will give you a major case of the feels. Unless maybe “huh?” counts as a feel. <br /><br />Life onboard the space station was really the most fascinating part of this book. There is an upstairs/downstairs class division between the aliens that was an awesome concept that I hope we get to see more of. The differences in the cultures and mannerisms of the various species definitely held my interest.<br /><br />Ultimately, while I did like this book I didn’t love it. I think it’s definitely worth giving a shot and a lot of you may like it even more than I did. There was some interesting civil unrest and political intrigue elements toward the end that pretty much guarantee I will be reading the next one. Here’s to hoping it goes more in-depth and hooks me.<br /><br /> </span>This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-74358379192825064862014-01-24T07:58:00.001-05:002014-01-24T07:58:44.006-05:00Cover Reveal: Dissension by Katie SalidasWe are super excited to reveal the cover for Katie Salidas' new book Dissension. I've read some of her adult books and really enjoyed them. Yes, I occasionally actually read my age. This one sounds like it will be even better and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Vampire gladiators? Yes, please! Be sure to keep scrolling as we have a couple excerpts to share with you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL2hk8qLi5OdWcmL058rpOQNqFDOkd6smRIFcQL2J_WTikmtMAA_fYyjA60CXFtS32jxjffUY_B1WcNIAK2YJPTev0B_hq-x7oBFIwbPLjndk4-ZfH_1lsmnHRSA86mFsaGcMgMCr6As/s1600/Dissension_2000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL2hk8qLi5OdWcmL058rpOQNqFDOkd6smRIFcQL2J_WTikmtMAA_fYyjA60CXFtS32jxjffUY_B1WcNIAK2YJPTev0B_hq-x7oBFIwbPLjndk4-ZfH_1lsmnHRSA86mFsaGcMgMCr6As/s1600/Dissension_2000.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dissension – Chronicles of the Uprising: Book 1</b></div>
<br /><br /> The great cataclysm wiped almost all life from the face of planet Earth, but tiny pockets of survivors crawled from the ashes, with only one thought: survival, at any cost.<br /><br />But not all survivors were human. <br /><br />In the dark, militant society that has risen in the aftermath, vampires, once thought to be mythical, have been assimilated and enslaved. Used for blood sport their lives are allowed to continue only for the entertainment of the masses. Reviled as savages, they are destined to serve out their immortal lives in the arena, as gladiators. <br /><br />And there is no greater gladiator than Mira: undefeated, uncompromising...and seemingly unbreakable. When an escape attempt leads Mira into the path of Lucian Stavros, the city’s Regent, her destiny is changed forever. <br /><br />Lucian, raised in a culture which both reviles and celebrates the savagery and inhumanity of vampires, finds Mira as intriguing as she is brash. An impulsive decision - to become Mira’s patron – changes more than just Lucian’s perception about vampire kind. The course of his life is altered in ways he could never have predicted – a life that is suddenly as expendable as hers. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Can Mira prove to Lucian that all is not as it seems? Can Lucian escape centuries of lies, bloodshed, and propaganda to see the truth? Or will the supreme power of the human overlords destroy them both?<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyCtcI5Py3P6YF9-h9v4msgkdFEDA5ZQUJ0BM7_wCIuBtsxc62lvAMnfk1DB3FnFevIUNAeLlzyr6bQ6wfxlQHibUpS2kb5wSH5vfS9iSTOqOWrnR71vmQ88Ign1liUXzrry8fnCeIvc/s1600/FB+Banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyCtcI5Py3P6YF9-h9v4msgkdFEDA5ZQUJ0BM7_wCIuBtsxc62lvAMnfk1DB3FnFevIUNAeLlzyr6bQ6wfxlQHibUpS2kb5wSH5vfS9iSTOqOWrnR71vmQ88Ign1liUXzrry8fnCeIvc/s1600/FB+Banner3.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dissension – Excerpt 1</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Katie Salidas 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rising Sign Books LLC</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><br />The roar of the crowd, all twenty-five-thousand people in attendance, rose to a thundering crescendo when Mira delivered a bone-crunching blow to her opponent’s ribs. Standing only five feet tall, she might not have appeared a formidable warrior, but the thin, spiky-haired waif of a vampire could hold her weight and more when put to the test. Amplified by the superb acoustics, the sound of bones cracking echoed through the Superdome arena. The defeated, a red-headed male vampire staggered, punch-drunk, and then dropped to his knees. Dirt and sweat coated his face but could not mask the fear in his icy blue eyes. His was a look Mira had seen so many times before. Her opponent’s immortal life had finally come to an end, and he was ready to take the final deadly blow.<br /><br />Above her, Mira knew the fifty-foot mega screen showed her hapless victim in brilliant resolution, ensuring that all who were attending, and those watching from the comfort of their homes, could see these last gruesome moments in crystal clear high-definition. <br /><br />Mira gazed down at her opponent’s blood-soaked face. Though he was her enemy for the moment, she did not relish having to end him. No one should be forced into the arena and told to kill or be killed. It wasn’t right. But it was what was demanded of her, and given the choice between her life and someone else’s… well, there really was no choice. No matter the cost, Mira was a survivor.<br /><br />She glanced up to the large private box overlooking the arena. A well-dressed man in deep-purple robes sat, enjoying what appeared to be a dinner of filet mignon and roast potatoes. Even here, in the dusty arena below, Mira’s enhanced senses picked up the tantalizing scent of very rare, bloody steak. She could hardly believe that a human could not only watch the murder about to take place, but also sit and eat the dead flesh of a once-living being while doing it. From the smell of it, the poor beast was practically still bleeding on his plate. Who was truly the more savage creature? <br /><br />Over the crowd’s roar, an announcer introduced the well-dressed man, Lucian Stavros, Regent of the Iron Gate. Lucian gently and purposefully slowly set down his knife and fork. He took another moment to wipe his face clean and then smiled, acknowledging the roaring crowd. <br /><br />Chants of “Death, death, death,” rang out from the throng as a single unified demand. <br /><br />The Regent listened for a moment, making a show of putting his hands to his ears to hear screaming hoard’s request, and then held a hand out, with his thumb pointed to the side.<br /><br />As if the next moment were the most important, the anticipating mass hushed. Eerie silence filled the arena as everyone watched for the Regent to make his decision.<br /><br />From her vantage point below, Mira saw the steely look of determination cross the Regent’s face. If she didn’t know better, she might have thought he took this decision seriously; but then, he was human, and they never cared much if her kind lived or died. Lucian Stavros took a cursory glance down at Mira. Their eyes met. It was only a brief moment, but in that short time, Mira saw him waver. <br /><br />Could it be true, she wondered, or was it just a trick of the light? No human actually cared about the lives of vampires. The moment faded, and the fleeting thought left. <br /><br />Mira saw the Regent’s decision. He turned his thumb down. Death! <br /><br />The crowd went wild. <br /><br />The last hope for her defeated opponent had vanished; Mira had to finish him. “Sorry,” she whispered to the half-dead vampire on his knees before her. Though her fangs tingled at the prospect of tasting his final dying moments—her reward, if you could call it that, for living through another battle— she did not enjoy what she was about to do. Like her, he was a slave, forced into servitude to the humans as they saw fit. He had not asked for this, and neither had she. But, despite what either of them wanted, it was the will of the crowd, the humans, that had to be served.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Aiming to sever the carotid artery with her fangs, Mira dove at her opponent’s neck. His death would be quick. At least she could afford him that luxury.<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi4h9RdcjR9ePfwB8kkiq9zFlsZ1TNFAM_lq3ZyGfBE9lpe81TaKA26U3xSnfwKrvE5z2TMkd3FFH9ChA-w6UVbiTTS7r_bX6yfxkymLo0mHo9Gs6Upa5fFr6e-dsPwpxk-bYNjPU6ks/s1600/promoBanner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi4h9RdcjR9ePfwB8kkiq9zFlsZ1TNFAM_lq3ZyGfBE9lpe81TaKA26U3xSnfwKrvE5z2TMkd3FFH9ChA-w6UVbiTTS7r_bX6yfxkymLo0mHo9Gs6Upa5fFr6e-dsPwpxk-bYNjPU6ks/s1600/promoBanner3.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dissension – Excerpt 2</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
©Katie Salidas 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rising Sign Books LLC</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><br />the hair on the back of Mira's neck prickled. An uncomfortable weight of unseen eyes settled on her. Dread sank to the pit of her stomach. Busted...and so close to escaping. Someone else was there, watching her. She felt it, but what was more unsettling was the fact they had yet to announce themselves. Guards would shoot first and ask questions later. Someone lurking in the shadows… there was no telling what game they’d be playing. <br /><br />Mira turned around and stood next to the guard she had just felled. It didn’t take much for her to find the source of her unease. A pair of mossy green eyes scrutinized her from the opposite end of the hall.<br /><br />Heart pounding, she stared back at the man attached to those quizzical eyes. Human, no doubt. But he didn’t carry a weapon. Nor was there any fear in those green eyes of his. On the contrary, alone in a dark corridor, he stood his ground, lifting his head, and stared Mira down like an alpha from some long lost wolf pack. <br /><br />The strangeness of his manner caught Mira by surprise. For a few moments too long, she stood dumbfounded, trying to process who he was and what her next move should be. His face seemed oddly familiar, though at the moment she couldn’t place where she’d seen him before.<br /><br />The strange man was tall and well built, but that really didn’t matter much. Mira could take down vampires larger than she with no problem. But that wasn’t the thing stopping her from making a move. Judging by the deep plum of his suit, he was a man of some power. Only the Elite – those in the ruling class – were ever permitted to wear such an audacious color. As desperate as Mira was at that moment, she needed to tread carefully. Being caught escaping—again—would earn her more time in the light box, but injuring an Elite could have her staked out in the middle of town square awaiting the dawn. <br /><br />“Aren't you going to finish him?” the man asked, his tone calm, soothing, as if he genuinely wanted to know the answer.<br /><br />“Why don’t I finish you instead?” She hoped the warning in her voice would be enough to deter him, but still the man remained unfazed, like some stoic statue across the hallway. What was he playing at? And why was he just standing there, calmly, giving her every opportunity to strike? Did he really place so little value on his life?<br /><br />“You could kill me, sure, but ask yourself how that is going to help your situation.” Spoken like a true Elite. He had to be up to something. <br /><br />She didn’t like the smugness in tone, but felt at a loss as to how to continue. She could be on him in a fraction of a second. Crush his windpipe, and maybe buy herself a few more minutes to find the exit, but she was lost and had already wasted too much time. However, her inaction was almost certain to earn her some additional reprisal as well. <br /><br />The corner of his lip quirked up. “I take it by your lack of response, that you’ve decided against harming me?” <br /><br />Damn him! He knew she couldn’t take the risk. “For the moment, I guess.” Mira did not let her own uncertainty leach out into her voice. She attempted to sound self-assured, as if she were the one in charge at that moment. <br /><br /> <br /><br />“Well.” He let out a little sigh. “I’m pleased to hear that.” The strange man smiled congenially. “But, we will have to sort out what to do with you. It appears you’re out of bounds here.”<br /><div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>KATIE SALIDAS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73HoJO4Ju6Yh4enuTHdz0R6Gklz6aenJ0yX8G4RzhRPH8kkd56ARSL6w85G1VyCOB_h0NCcUIzPMKAVTHMARNX_ogIeT6GnqnxJo14AUO41EyjIXEIGdEvbkDVfDqcpNM5M5lfOxZa7A/s1600/KatieSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73HoJO4Ju6Yh4enuTHdz0R6Gklz6aenJ0yX8G4RzhRPH8kkd56ARSL6w85G1VyCOB_h0NCcUIzPMKAVTHMARNX_ogIeT6GnqnxJo14AUO41EyjIXEIGdEvbkDVfDqcpNM5M5lfOxZa7A/s1600/KatieSmall.jpg" height="200" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Katie Salidas is a Super Woman!
Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She
can get the munchkins off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim
lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting
with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the
hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time
to write. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
And if you can believe all of those lies, there
is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas,
Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing
sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is
her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of
entertainment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
Blog<br />
<a href="http://www.katiesalidas.com/">http://www.katiesalidas.com/</a><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook <br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916</a>
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LinkedIn <br />
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=58814031&trk=tab_pro">http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=58814031&trk=tab_pro</a>
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter <br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie">http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie</a>
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Publisher<br />
<a href="http://www.risingsignbooks.net/">http://www.risingsignbooks.net</a><br />
<br />
Amazon:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Katie-Salidas/e/B003APXXWO">http://www.amazon.com/Katie-Salidas/e/B003APXXWO</a><br />
<br />
Amazon UK:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Katie-Salidas/e/B003APXXWO">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Katie-Salidas/e/B003APXXWO</a><br />
<br />
Barnes & Noble:<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/katie-salidas?keyword=katie+salidas&amp;store=allproducts">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/katie-salidas?keyword=katie+salidas&amp;store=allproducts</a><br />
<br />
Smashwords: <br />
<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KatieSalidas">http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KatieSalidas</a><br />
<br />
All Romance Ebooks:<br />
<a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&amp;qString=Katie+Salidas">http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&amp;qString=Katie+Salidas</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-65598532733133691162014-01-13T09:53:00.000-05:002014-01-13T09:53:10.689-05:00Review: Being Sloane Jacobs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LPySuBo73V9i63N14JtJ_deXAoB4SrzkVV3RtQUJOLc7KW5utVYlDYmdXceMDqXeiS2ObDbMgsMNXCwVQjjcFiZqW6wv-la21f3y6qlPFc1XsBttnflTPSOBbGdIM9br3nrf8I2CIKc/s1600/being+sloane+jacobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LPySuBo73V9i63N14JtJ_deXAoB4SrzkVV3RtQUJOLc7KW5utVYlDYmdXceMDqXeiS2ObDbMgsMNXCwVQjjcFiZqW6wv-la21f3y6qlPFc1XsBttnflTPSOBbGdIM9br3nrf8I2CIKc/s200/being+sloane+jacobs.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Being Sloane Jacobs</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lauren Morrill</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3.0/5.0 stars</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
My overall impression after reading Being Sloane Jacobs was something like "eh, it was cute". The pacing was steady and the writing was fluid and sometimes it even charmed me a little but I never fell in love with it. In fairness, I never felt the need to toss it aside either. I think it lands in that dreaded middle zone where I don't regret reading it but I won't remember it in a couple of months either.<br />
<br />
The story is about two girls both named Sloane Jacobs. Hailing from DC we have Sloane Emily Jacobs who is the daughter of a U.S. senator. She comes from a well to do family and never has to want for anything but her family lacks the closeness and affection that she craves. She is a former competitive figure skater who had a bad and very public fall a few years prior and gave up skating. She has come back to it now but is still having trouble landing her jumps and enjoying it like she used to. From the other side of the tracks we have Sloane Devon Jacobs. She is from Philadelphia and a longtime hockey player who is now having problems freezing up during games. Her mother is away in rehab for alcoholism and though her father is loving they both seem to be having a hard time coping with her absence. The two Sloanes end up staying in the same hotel while on their way to summer camps for their chosen sport. The hotel mixes up their bags and the two girls are shocked to find out they have the same name. Since they are both unhappy with their lives and dreading going to their camps they decide to switch places for the summer.<br />
<br />
The plot was definitely a stretch. I had some trouble in the beginning accepting that these girls could go play a totally different sport that they had never done before convincingly enough to pass for someone who had been doing it for years. I have legs and the ability to run and kick but if you throw me on a soccer field with people that actually play soccer it's going to be pretty obvious that I'm not one of them. The plot was also fairly predictable. <br />
<br />
I liked both Sloanes pretty equally and the dual POV was handled well. The side character "friends" served their purpose but I felt like we only got to know them at a surface level. The love interests did nothing for me. I didn't dislike them but I didn't feel any attachement to either of the relationships either. I was also pretty disappointed in the lack of attention paid to the family issues. It was mentioned but never really covered then all just kind of wrapped up with no real development. <br />
<br />
Being Sloane Jacobs is a cute book and it's a quick and easy read. For me it was just a little too much syrup and not enough substance. I would recommend it but probably only for younger readers or someone looking for a clean, more disney-fied young adult book.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-89012853272791083352014-01-07T23:48:00.000-05:002014-01-07T23:48:41.596-05:00Review: Division of the Marked by March McCarron<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxk45JAFHK1fcSYOb4BwLK5Im1TqndNSvm47yUjPNPY2hCrqgDS7YYZyGL_ujOKP_oosL6_FFXfEZTab03ZpQu78n71HS-kjoXZVo2UDDGb1SAKe-N4b3_yhahlLGgHj3YqutowGa3TA/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxk45JAFHK1fcSYOb4BwLK5Im1TqndNSvm47yUjPNPY2hCrqgDS7YYZyGL_ujOKP_oosL6_FFXfEZTab03ZpQu78n71HS-kjoXZVo2UDDGb1SAKe-N4b3_yhahlLGgHj3YqutowGa3TA/s1600/cover.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Division of the Marked<br />March McCarron<br />
3.5 <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For all of written history, on the day of Da Un Marcu, fifty boys and girls across the three kingdoms are marked. They become a class apart from society. Taken to join their brothers and sisters, the Chisanta, they enter a culture of knowledge-keepers, martial artists, and possessors of strange and wonderful abilities.<br /><br />When Yarrow discovers himself marked, he feels lost and lonely; until he meets Bray, a spirited and curious girl with whom he feels uncommonly connected. As the two of them become familiar with their new lives, unaccountable events unsettle the peace. A mysterious murder leaves the Chisanta in confusion. Odder still, one of the fifty children never arrives. In the years that follow, more and more children of the Chisanta go missing.<br /><br />Ten years later, the devastating truth comes to light. The death of a young marked girl is uncovered. Yarrow and Bray—separated for a decade and grown apart—are thrust back together to investigate the crime. Can they overcome their differences to save the fate of their kind and the peace of the nation?</i></blockquote>
<br />Overall, this is a really good book. It took me a minute to get into it, but once I did, it kind of grew on me. <br /><br />It starts out kind of slow. However (to be fair) it is an epic fantasy, and they do tend to be heavy on detail and take a little longer to really take off.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESaqhJImgEhryBYQNhuT3Ox17UZAZK_j-W7534GaIPCQl3vOXvn-l_TbUrNlx9NDfjdE33FLXygz95dEblRWmq2_PnsqcLDvjcq75-CPHc274_CaSwPZX5Lw6vviX6gBtU3uRDAIUJ5M/s1600/slow.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESaqhJImgEhryBYQNhuT3Ox17UZAZK_j-W7534GaIPCQl3vOXvn-l_TbUrNlx9NDfjdE33FLXygz95dEblRWmq2_PnsqcLDvjcq75-CPHc274_CaSwPZX5Lw6vviX6gBtU3uRDAIUJ5M/s1600/slow.gif" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In the end though, it was all worth it, because once it gets going, it gains momentum pretty quickly. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTE28at7dwl9dapzxP4Iys7haAYW9QhGbWbDubq110M4-imRuCfCLMEaAknOGz4ogCpy5vt3hF8MosF_iHs-b5kZ3WFDtId1bi6Gj5OrSJYCU-dIZ2sT0oep_bugbjzPvfO3YsahzNw0/s1600/race.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTE28at7dwl9dapzxP4Iys7haAYW9QhGbWbDubq110M4-imRuCfCLMEaAknOGz4ogCpy5vt3hF8MosF_iHs-b5kZ3WFDtId1bi6Gj5OrSJYCU-dIZ2sT0oep_bugbjzPvfO3YsahzNw0/s1600/race.gif" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Things get really interesting once the two opposing groups come together to work towards a common goal. It was rather amusing watching them have to learn to live and work together to figure out the mystery of the missing children. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReqf4BRmyJSLcFx-oWPOoG6YpPy8ViOiJD7gsbyZzlL7uW6VVqEWxvdaY7cJxOQxrSAZ9Kbv8tN_5DwSqBNAljRG-ZPu-ZQeJ20K97g6VaU2SPpn7kS85howU6_YyXB_mlLQAQFtp7PM/s1600/kids+fighting.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReqf4BRmyJSLcFx-oWPOoG6YpPy8ViOiJD7gsbyZzlL7uW6VVqEWxvdaY7cJxOQxrSAZ9Kbv8tN_5DwSqBNAljRG-ZPu-ZQeJ20K97g6VaU2SPpn7kS85howU6_YyXB_mlLQAQFtp7PM/s1600/kids+fighting.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Those were probably some of my favorite moments. Those are the moments that pushed me to not just like the characters, but *love* the characters. Not only did I really love Bray and Yarrow, I absolutely adored the supporting characters as well. <br /><br />There are some seriously heart-wrenching moments in the book too. I can't talk about them without spoiling something, but we'll just say there were times where I looked like this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXIcw0aIUm234Wf9nLrpKSx5Dki6aP08CIYkTf-j_rCgsOs1poUznrJFRaOyvvhJDAv2QIcdOqPFmgcQusxwogGA_lktzmqEPHPitW2V3LuEQH0ElnCxnGusSwYO0t61VmEh-jVDc8wY/s1600/crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXIcw0aIUm234Wf9nLrpKSx5Dki6aP08CIYkTf-j_rCgsOs1poUznrJFRaOyvvhJDAv2QIcdOqPFmgcQusxwogGA_lktzmqEPHPitW2V3LuEQH0ElnCxnGusSwYO0t61VmEh-jVDc8wY/s1600/crying.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Also, I love how the mystery unfolds. It is honestly what kept me going through some of the slower parts. I was so intrigued to know how all of it would play out, and McCarron does a good job of building it up.<br />
<br />Oh, and the cliffhanger ending... we all know how I feel about a good cliffhanger!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93j9KGhdgsKGp9mVpmc0dwY3TVfKtEBL1cqndkeaygcPGTt6XEXpXQTVnSptixgqpJOEgK0zgg7qQ4UfUfV7K1Ivww-LBzMoU38I5ddoWlrnuJMES554hfRa-tYtTjcz9QgNTIpItsv8/s1600/love.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93j9KGhdgsKGp9mVpmc0dwY3TVfKtEBL1cqndkeaygcPGTt6XEXpXQTVnSptixgqpJOEgK0zgg7qQ4UfUfV7K1Ivww-LBzMoU38I5ddoWlrnuJMES554hfRa-tYtTjcz9QgNTIpItsv8/s1600/love.gif" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Overall, I think the book was a little detail heavy (for me) and I would have liked for the pacing to be a bit quicker. However, despite all of that, McCarron still created a mystery and characters that I was able to feel invested in and fall in love with. I'm really excited to see what happens in book two!<br />This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-71812356224480251442014-01-06T22:28:00.001-05:002014-01-06T22:30:36.588-05:00Review: The Almost Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh7696orVB9aszkBj2YDmzNPi7XkxO_xZL_EAjt85-7ejR-Tzl_x6ZYUcSjt69ZNoEWr3AurcvoLJI6Jcsp52z6-fvplGHBVy5lwAm8zjD3dXxM_DwCKbIeYtDz46-pQ2l2TzuBpaj4U/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh7696orVB9aszkBj2YDmzNPi7XkxO_xZL_EAjt85-7ejR-Tzl_x6ZYUcSjt69ZNoEWr3AurcvoLJI6Jcsp52z6-fvplGHBVy5lwAm8zjD3dXxM_DwCKbIeYtDz46-pQ2l2TzuBpaj4U/s1600/cover.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The Almost Girl</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Amalie Howard</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
4.0/5.0</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm not going to lie. I generally am really leery of sci-fi. It's just one of the genres that I don't generally connect well with. I don't know why, I just don't. I was hesitant to grab this one, and flipped past it probably 10 times before I caved and requested it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm so glad I have zero willpower when it comes to books with pretty covers and a remotely interesting blurb, because I really, really enjoyed this book. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I really appreciated how strong all of the female characters in this book were. Riven, her sister, the guardians. They weren't meek and waiting for Prince Charming to save them. Quite the opposite actually. Additionally, the characters were complex and flawed. They made mistakes, they got confused, they struggled internally with each decision. I love to see this in books, because it makes the characters more relatable and realistic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The action scenes were very well done, and each one of them left me frantically flipping pages trying to figure out exactly how they were going to get themselves out of whatever crazy situation they were in at the moment. It was intense, stressful, anxiety ridden goodness. I love when a book has action scenes that literally make me panic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The only thing better than the action scenes were the numerous plot twist. Even though I caught on to many of them before the "big reveal" I still got like oober "OMG" every single time. The ones I didn't suspect were even better. I have no idea how ridiculous I must have looked, sitting there, with my kindle, just staring at it, dumbfounded, going "Did that REALLY just happen???" Like if I just stared at it long enough it wouldn't be quite so shocking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My only complaints were fairly minor. I could have done without the high school adventure. I feel like its overplayed and boring, but it wasn't unbearable. I also found Riven contradicted herself a lot throughout the book. One page she'd be all "I'm never going to do this" and then the next she'd be all "nothing can stop me from doing this". It didn't really take away from the story, and I took it as the author just trying to show how divided and unsure Riven was of her actions and decisions. However, there were points were it kind of confused me and I had to go back to make sure I hadn't read something wrong. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Overall, its a fantastic book, and it gets my seal of approval. I highly recommend!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-45291688379124209452014-01-03T00:10:00.000-05:002014-01-03T00:10:37.422-05:00Release Day Launch - Forced Autonomy by Lila Felix<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uf-xtAr6dROV9YZoveiBHuMwSUoAbNUUs-ehS075tz5H_80I_ku7ic3dZ_lMsf7hr7wQCFYm7gOfB2nx0vaq7CayO-wiVXMnEg3ho5Z7IZ7dIL5gC6gnEfxIh6jzz_UvICbXzwS0qxk/s1600/RDL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uf-xtAr6dROV9YZoveiBHuMwSUoAbNUUs-ehS075tz5H_80I_ku7ic3dZ_lMsf7hr7wQCFYm7gOfB2nx0vaq7CayO-wiVXMnEg3ho5Z7IZ7dIL5gC6gnEfxIh6jzz_UvICbXzwS0qxk/s400/RDL.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /><b>ABOUT FORCED AUTONOMY:</b><br /><br />The United States has collapsed. Those citizens who are left are in one of two classes. One: Citizens who have undergone forced lobotomies, as mandated by the United Nations. Two: Those who fight against their tyranny.<br /><br />Petra Kingsley falls under both classes. She falls in line with the drones, pretending her procedure worked. Four years she’s existed among their ranks, hiding in plain sight, being worked to the bone and starved almost to death.<br /><br />Lawson is a bounty hunter of sorts. His target isn’t the guilty, it’s those who are lost in the folds of a broken society.<br /><br />When he spots Petra working in the masses, he stops at nothing to help her escape.<br /><br />But he has no idea who exactly he’s helping—and who will now be hunting them both?<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgaKGd-PNDbquHxEpwuIiQ5xJonb3hRm3eFm98-bBP-Rd8qKv7_uwbVCd9icPT7vPcdr-f_wd4m_Ej6uFd3X3vnCfOgNt7kSMkO10YvPkJZgaLqcTo8VuSyP7oKVP9N6cnmA3KBgKTp4/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgaKGd-PNDbquHxEpwuIiQ5xJonb3hRm3eFm98-bBP-Rd8qKv7_uwbVCd9icPT7vPcdr-f_wd4m_Ej6uFd3X3vnCfOgNt7kSMkO10YvPkJZgaLqcTo8VuSyP7oKVP9N6cnmA3KBgKTp4/s320/COVER.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><b>EXCERPT:</b><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
Year 2031<br />Subject 99856691<br />This is how I’m gonna die. Not by machine or a shot to the head. I wouldn’t be lucky enough to just get thrown into the furnace. No, this effing hangnail—well, used to be hangnail, would be the end of me. A throbbing, pustule filled toe cavity would evolve into a full blown infection and then sepsis. Yes, death by sepsis. Now that sounds like my luck. Fever and a bum toe, so damned classy.<br />I would’ve dug into myself, pulled out a lung and happily traded it for a dollar store first aid kit and some toe nail clippers at that point—I really would’ve. I’d picked the object of my malcontent from my toe with a sliver of metal I’d found on the ground in the factory. I didn’t often find metal in my factory, so I scooped it up at once, hoping the cameras didn’t detect my movement. That night by the light of a flashlight I’d stolen from one of the maintenance drones, I fashioned a rudimentary pair of tweezers out of the sharp, ragged metal. They didn’t work very well. Jerking and pulling, it took me nearly a damned hour to release the painful, jagged hangnail from its solitary confinement on the side of my toe. And I used the same tool to break through the bubble which had taken residence in its place. Hissing through my teeth at the sea sick green globule emerging from my toe, I wished for hydrogen peroxide—or that new skin stuff that burned like glowing brimstone itself. It released its prisoner of infection and throbbed in protest. I washed it the best I could with grime water courtesy of the hyper-recycled water bottle I’d once found behind the building. I used it to steal water from the bathroom in the factory.<br />I’d never stolen in my life before the collapse.<br />I’d once perfected the good girl routine, at least superficially. I dressed the part, cutesy vintage dresses that showed just the peep of a knee and nothing more. I kept my hair at that length, below shoulder—so that I could be accused of neither having short hair nor long. I certainly didn’t want to anger anyone with the length of my hair. My shoes were not flats which registered goody two shoes, but they weren’t too high, because that registered whore. I made straight A’s, I smiled when prompted and I never—ever moved an inch out of my little square. That’s what was expected of me. And I didn’t let anyone down.<br />But that time of my life and my family were long gone.<br />I tore a strip of cloth from my blanket and tied the wound up in a makeshift bandage. It would have to do until the next day. Then I’d have to take it off, letting the open, gaping hole exposed to the elements, the filth of the streets and the dirt of my work. It would get infected for sure. A wound that before could be cured with a hefty co-pay and five minutes of the good doctor’s time. But all the doctors, nurses and anyone else who had the knowledge or knowhow theyneeded had been swept away to other countries.<br />Robots didn’t need medical care.</blockquote>
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>ABOUT Lila Felix:</b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr-BNyGR4fOxg34PEZda_LJXyDp_4sua33WiuDF4lLS0VmYflZRBihV3V_Y8OU_P54TpMSiiv-QSRLLYEciGjNV73jAjXl9YpyeQAAm_4OO6bVmfP2AuCBF1G9EukZc5pUdMwVf8xB70/s1600/AUTHOR.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr-BNyGR4fOxg34PEZda_LJXyDp_4sua33WiuDF4lLS0VmYflZRBihV3V_Y8OU_P54TpMSiiv-QSRLLYEciGjNV73jAjXl9YpyeQAAm_4OO6bVmfP2AuCBF1G9EukZc5pUdMwVf8xB70/s200/AUTHOR.jpg" /></a><div>
Lila Felix made the decision to write a book after being encouraged by friends. She is a stay at home mom to three wild children and three boisterous dogs and her high school sweetheart husband encourages her daily. Between writing books, she loves to read and watch sappy 80's movies. Favorite things: ice cream, anything purple, roller derby and any kind of music she can get her hands on. If you're looking for her, try looking in the swamp, she's probably duct taping something under the shade of a Cypress tree.<br /><br />Trailer: <a href="http://animoto.com/play/bkFjEM4opCOTchQU6wrTUg">http://animoto.com/play/bkFjEM4opCOTchQU6wrTUg</a><br /><br /><b>LINKS: </b><br />Website: <a href="http://www.lilafelix.com/">http://www.lilafelix.com/</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.authorlilafelix.blogspot.com/">http://www.authorlilafelix.blogspot.com/</a><br />Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/authorlilafelix">http://www.twitter.com/authorlilafelix</a><br />Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLilaFelix?ref=tn_tnmn">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLilaFelix?ref=tn_tnmn</a><br />Author Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6519682.Lila_Felix">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6519682.Lila_Felix</a> <br />FORCED AUTONOMY Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18780670-forced-autonomy?ac=1">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18780670-forced-autonomy?ac=1</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a id="rc-9172c1114" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1114/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-73247156278852497042013-12-18T07:42:00.001-05:002013-12-18T07:43:01.297-05:00Cover Reveal & GIVEAWAY: Cutlass by Ashley Nixon<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
We are super excited to reveal the cover for Cutlass, the upcoming YA Fantasy by Ashley Nixon. Young adult? Check. Fantasy? Check. Pirates? Gimme gimme gimme. I can't wait to read this one! Be sure to add it to your TBRs and scroll down to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon card!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aytRp_Xk-IW7jlbOCmQQHlTYoBFHWpeP_nmHofThl9zADhQZ84FaR2B85QQSdY0089Ha1P4404cPFk7ls38-jBhGSTF2OVGe_4yo__sdZdN32UQUGOzYVMyKSc2mIfk_fAD7J7hV7rI/s1600/Cutlass_ebooklg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aytRp_Xk-IW7jlbOCmQQHlTYoBFHWpeP_nmHofThl9zADhQZ84FaR2B85QQSdY0089Ha1P4404cPFk7ls38-jBhGSTF2OVGe_4yo__sdZdN32UQUGOzYVMyKSc2mIfk_fAD7J7hV7rI/s320/Cutlass_ebooklg.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3SZjyj38JeatCq2TyFiG32EsPDXkmx1yL4ChQufFrHDnHid8l8v92GVv7DIzZQEJkNDVS7oOPPizOpZ-hccL3P58VSWxz5-BVGkK-4gqSf5YzIRTq5hCV_ntbSyY7xlO4VjSUgntS_4/s1600/Cutlass-wrap-share.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3SZjyj38JeatCq2TyFiG32EsPDXkmx1yL4ChQufFrHDnHid8l8v92GVv7DIzZQEJkNDVS7oOPPizOpZ-hccL3P58VSWxz5-BVGkK-4gqSf5YzIRTq5hCV_ntbSyY7xlO4VjSUgntS_4/s320/Cutlass-wrap-share.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cutlass by Ashley Nixon </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Cutlass Series #1) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Publication date: April 23rd 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Synopsis:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Notorious pirate Barren Reed has one thing on his mind: Revenge against the man who killed his father. So kidnapping his enemy’s fiancé seems a perfect plan…until he actually does it.<br />
<br />
Larkin Lee is more than a pretty face and fiancé to a powerful man. Her fierce personality is enough to make any pirate want to push her overboard.<br />
<br />
But when the King of the Orient comes to Barren with a task—to find the Bloodstone, a powerful gem thought only to exist in legend, Barren sees another opportunity to destroy his enemy. Together, Barren, Larkin and a crew of pirates set off to find the stone, only to discover it caused the death of Barren’s own mother and Larkin’s, too. As his strongest allies turn into his greatest enemies, and the life of the girl he kidnapped becomes more important than he ever dreamed, Barren’s quest for revenge becomes a fight to save the Orient.<br />
<br />
<br />
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18755539-cutlass?ac=1">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18755539-cutlass?ac=1</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d761076/" id="rc-d761076" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
___________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnry5XlVV83GU4r3kybYEM8enPhhZloMxJmp-l1YQ0LEXmXubVTEdUGwnTXiyxa1ds0JQvJvylQs0vDj96hAssl4HPOXdnO3zX4d-R6sp3M64-5dzZUbI8gUoyMVv0EK5M9FUb90BUms/s1600/Ashley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnry5XlVV83GU4r3kybYEM8enPhhZloMxJmp-l1YQ0LEXmXubVTEdUGwnTXiyxa1ds0JQvJvylQs0vDj96hAssl4HPOXdnO3zX4d-R6sp3M64-5dzZUbI8gUoyMVv0EK5M9FUb90BUms/s1600/Ashley.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
AUTHOR BIO:<br />
Ashley was born and raised in Oklahoma, where the wind really does sweep down the plains, and horses and carriages aren't used as much as she'd like. When she's not writing, she's hard at work on her Master's degree in Library Science and Information Technology, working out, or pretending she's Sherlock Holmes. Her obsession with writing began after reading the Lord of the Rings in the eighth grade. Since then, she's loved everything Fantasy--resulting in an unhealthy obsession with the 'geek' tab on Pinterest, where all things awesome go.<br />
<br />
<br />
Links:<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5199530.Ashley_Nixon">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5199530.Ashley_Nixon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ashley-nixon.com/">http://www.ashley-nixon.com/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ashleynixonauthor">https://www.facebook.com/ashleynixonauthor</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Ashleymnixon">https://twitter.com/Ashleymnixon</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-17639924755348674632013-12-17T12:19:00.000-05:002013-12-17T12:32:53.284-05:00Review: The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zJnw6gHuctkQlT_YSfll62zUWth3oDUMGmH2LSUQj2Ovlf684v0J38DO6glf2-sTRZVkzbWHhRIQ9mxL2LPe2cRLnVb47koTIuY84DMf-nX2n56f57QfwiE3yKX4AdiK1qp4Rsld39c/s1600/The+Sharpest+Blade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zJnw6gHuctkQlT_YSfll62zUWth3oDUMGmH2LSUQj2Ovlf684v0J38DO6glf2-sTRZVkzbWHhRIQ9mxL2LPe2cRLnVb47koTIuY84DMf-nX2n56f57QfwiE3yKX4AdiK1qp4Rsld39c/s320/The+Sharpest+Blade.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Sharpest Blade</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shadow Reader #3</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sandy Williams</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Release Date: December 31, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.5/5.0 stars</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s always hard for me to review the final book in a
series. We invest so much time in these
series leading up to the big payoff finale that to say anything feels like I’m
stealing some of that magic away from you. What I can say, without any
hesitation, is that this was a fantastic ending to a much-loved trilogy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Sharpest Blade</i>
picks up a few weeks after the ending of the last book. Mackenzie has been
leading a surprisingly normal life- living in a small apartment and working at
the local library. The Fae have stuck to
their word and left her alone completely.
There is still the matter of her connection to Kyol (which she has no
idea how to control) and Sosch, the kimki, isn’t exactly a normal roommate (sidenote:
can I pleeeease have one?) but for the most part it’s as mundane and human a
life as she could ever have. This is
what she’s always wanted so she should be happy- <i>should</i> being the keyword.
When she feels through their bond that Kyol is badly hurt she wastes no
time rushing to his side in Faery and is caught up in their problems once
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the books in this series have been high action but this
one is NON-STOP. You get a nice peaceful
moment in the very beginning then spend the rest of the book being tossed
around like a ragdoll. This is not a
complaint. The pace was so breakneck and the action so vivid that I devoured
this book page after page unable to pull myself away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were plenty of twists and twists on twists that I
never saw coming. This book would build
me up to these wondrous highs and then drop me to crushing lows in the span of
a few pages. I laughed, I cried, I even
chanted “no-no-no-no-no-no” a few times.
The consequences in this book for all involved are enormous and some of
the characters make huge sacrifices that just rip you to shreds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love these characters, each and every one of them. They feel like old friends and saying goodbye
to them was so bittersweet. Is it too
early to start begging for a spinoff series? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whatever Sandy Williams writes
next will definitely be going on my reading list.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640424096397316838.post-76825434079216534062013-12-13T20:24:00.000-05:002013-12-13T20:24:21.887-05:00Blitz: Giveaway and Excerpt: Infinity Unleashed by Sedona Venez<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QMRnudpDFJqepV_7opKWFoqXuOX0PgFoei1JF_pqko4wMZ58zLeQ4L2_vNvZGmhvYCpcowaXqzXudIV9_zrm1Tm4AcwwbacyBsr2bC0xOmo-DHCRiLYMPZBMDPbgSSQgyR10iys-2fE/s1600/BANNER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QMRnudpDFJqepV_7opKWFoqXuOX0PgFoei1JF_pqko4wMZ58zLeQ4L2_vNvZGmhvYCpcowaXqzXudIV9_zrm1Tm4AcwwbacyBsr2bC0xOmo-DHCRiLYMPZBMDPbgSSQgyR10iys-2fE/s1600/BANNER.png" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Book & Author Details:</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QuP3og2EPQ4Wa3UnKQXcQN2RV_vixqi0kKRFXlQE9Gp5Lc12ZUmgU_mpm5t6MT0XL3ubORUYsCx6e6m7sXeJdzvafMSKbYtKBlD299LcL-pgYz0V7ty3fYJ-BSJ3s6MfB8x-pkO3khE/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QuP3og2EPQ4Wa3UnKQXcQN2RV_vixqi0kKRFXlQE9Gp5Lc12ZUmgU_mpm5t6MT0XL3ubORUYsCx6e6m7sXeJdzvafMSKbYtKBlD299LcL-pgYz0V7ty3fYJ-BSJ3s6MfB8x-pkO3khE/s1600/COVER.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a>Title: <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Infinity</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Unleashed</span><br />
Author: Sedona Venez<br />
Cover Designer: Mae I Design<br />
Release Date: December 10, 2013<br />
Series: Valkyries: Soaring Raven series<br />
Genre: New adult paranormal romance - due to graphic language and sexual content this book is recommended for readers 18+.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Synopsis:</b></div>
<div>
A new adult story of Betrayal. Sex. Addiction. Love. And Power...<br />
<br />
Mason's diabolical plan had actually worked.<br />
<br />
In a matter of minutes he had kidnapped me, stripping me of everything...money, family, and freedom. It was humbling, depressing, and damn infuriating but I refuse to go down without a fight. I refuse to be defeated.<br />
<br />
Boulder will find me. I didn't know how, but I felt it deep in my soul.<br />
<br />
Boulder...the one man that made my body quake with just one look. It was madness. There was so much I didn't know about him. For that matter, there was so much that he didn't know about me…like the evil darkness lurking inside me, waiting to be <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">unleashed</span>.<br />
<br />
Could he accept me without judging?<br />
<br />
That's where most men failed. Accepting the real me. But after years of hardening my heart, and sealing it behind a steel cage, I was ready to give myself to him freely. Knowing, that he planned to take everything I offered with both hands, until all I thought of...and wanted...was him…</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Goodreads: </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17800668-infinity-unleashed?ac=1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>goodreads.com/book/show/<wbr></wbr>17800668-<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">infinity</span>-<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">unleashed</span>?<wbr></wbr>ac=1</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Purchase:</b></div>
<div>
--Amazon:<b> </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sedona-Venez/e/B00AT319OY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1386270284&sr=8-1-fkmr0" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.<wbr></wbr>com/Sedona-Venez/e/B00AT319OY/<wbr></wbr>ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=<wbr></wbr>1386270284&sr=8-1-fkmr0</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
--B&N: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/infinity-unleashed-sedona-venez/1117327561?ean=9780984499380" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>barnesandnoble.com/w/<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">infinity</span>-<wbr></wbr><span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">unleashed</span>-sedona-venez/<wbr></wbr>1117327561?ean=9780984499380</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
--iTunes: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/infinity-unleashed/id738303117?mt=11" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://itunes.<wbr></wbr>apple.com/us/book/<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">infinity</span>-<wbr></wbr><span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">unleashed</span>/id738303117?mt=11</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
----</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi9blyW7kLnO9RP6us3LSicunQNzQpi-jEbEoQOqn7T5H33iv0TNMcJCryB1-anvn1wjhAsS9bwpN19riPAVG7IJkM9tIzQyI8pHyqIKMTovz7vGGyxC5mUP0Wfy1znJ6Wcc4de6kEEM/s1600/AUTHOR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi9blyW7kLnO9RP6us3LSicunQNzQpi-jEbEoQOqn7T5H33iv0TNMcJCryB1-anvn1wjhAsS9bwpN19riPAVG7IJkM9tIzQyI8pHyqIKMTovz7vGGyxC5mUP0Wfy1znJ6Wcc4de6kEEM/s1600/AUTHOR.jpg" /></a><b>AUTHOR BIO</b></div>
<div>
Sedona Venez is the author of the New Adult Credence Curse series, and the New Adult Valkyries: Soaring Raven series. She is a NYC girl (go Brooklyn!) with a slight obsession with her iPad, Pinterest, and television shows Pawn Stars and Face Off. Her love of music, tattoos, rockers, alpha men and wolf-shifters inspires her edgy paranormal romance novels. She also writes Middle Grade/Young Adult under her real name, T.L. Clarke. You can find out more about Sedona and her novels by visiting <a href="http://www.sedonavenez.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>sedonavenez.com</a><br />
<br />
“Like” her on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SedonaVenez" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>facebook.com/SedonaVenez</a><br />
Follow her on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TLClarke_TLC" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/<wbr></wbr>TLClarke_TLC</a><br />
Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tlcauthor" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>pinterest.com/tlcauthor</a><br />
GoodReads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535416.Sedona_Venez" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>goodreads.com/author/show/<wbr></wbr>6535416.Sedona_Venez</a><br />
Sedona’s website: <a href="http://www.sedonavenez.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>sedonavenez.com</a> </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
----</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QuP3og2EPQ4Wa3UnKQXcQN2RV_vixqi0kKRFXlQE9Gp5Lc12ZUmgU_mpm5t6MT0XL3ubORUYsCx6e6m7sXeJdzvafMSKbYtKBlD299LcL-pgYz0V7ty3fYJ-BSJ3s6MfB8x-pkO3khE/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QuP3og2EPQ4Wa3UnKQXcQN2RV_vixqi0kKRFXlQE9Gp5Lc12ZUmgU_mpm5t6MT0XL3ubORUYsCx6e6m7sXeJdzvafMSKbYtKBlD299LcL-pgYz0V7ty3fYJ-BSJ3s6MfB8x-pkO3khE/s1600/COVER.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>EXCERPT:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">H</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">is
eyes narrowed</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">. H</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">is
sensual lips pulled into a thin line. Her heart raced, remembering
how </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">hard</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">those </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">lips
were when </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">he licked
her own. When he </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">kiss</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ed</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
her neck</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">, God</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">,
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">she shuddered…
His lips and tongue were wickedly lethal</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">She bit
back the lusty sigh before it slipped out.</span></span><span style="font-family: MS Mincho, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
</span></span><br />
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">Ah,
Querida</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">”
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">H</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">is
sinfully delicious voice was like a caress</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
against her breasts</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">.
</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She barely fought the
delicious shiver that ran down her spine. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She hated and loved the way he
stubbornly refused to stop using the Spanish endearment,
Querida—darling—instead of her name. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">H</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">is
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">lips curled up into
a smile as his </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">eyes
slid</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> f</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">rom
her black stilettos to her long tanned legs</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">,
then </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">her
curves</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> encased in
her </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">tight,
caramel sheath dress. </span></span>
<br />
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">You look
beautiful, as usual.” </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Before she could protest, h</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">e
pull</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ed</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
her close with on</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">e</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
smooth move, sliding his hands up and down her body. Her sex clenched
from the hottest frisk in damn history.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
Annoyed at herself, s</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">he</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
smiled coldly before spinning away, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">stepping
back quickly. </span></span>
<br />
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">Behave,
Cortez. I’m not carrying a weapon on my body.” </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Technically
true. It wasn’t her fault his cockiness prevented him from checking
for the </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">gun
she stashed in her </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">designer
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">clutch.
“Trust me.” </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">He laugh</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ed</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
tauntingly before waving away his </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">hovering
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">enforcers.
“Trust is something </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">that
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">must be
earned, Querida, and you are far from earning mine.” He pulled her
close, their lips almost brush</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ing,
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">millimeters
apart. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">She gazed
up at him, desperately trying to tamp down the image of his hands on
her body</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> before
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">step</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ping</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
back, resisting the urge to run her fingers through his dark hair.
She turn</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ed</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
away, looking pointedly at the decked-out table set for one with lit
candles. It was too romantic for her taste. </span></span>
<br />
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Aw… the vampire did </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">all
this for me?”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">He scowled. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">“Everyone
has to eat.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She cursed herself for
noticing how ridiculously sexy his scowl was. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">“You’re
a vampire. You don’t eat.”</span></span><br />
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">I do eat</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
and </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">well.”
His gaze linger</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ed
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">on her
body, sending a jolt of lust whipping straight to her sex.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
She squeezed her legs together, smothering the delicious pulsing.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-GB">
</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
<b>GIVEAWAYS!!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251286/" id="rc-d04251286" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a class="promosimple" data-campaign="3366" href="http://giveaways.promosimple.com/win-a-free-e-book-copy-of-infinity-unleashed-by-sedona-venez/"></a><script src="https://promosimple.com/api/1.0/campaign/3366/iframe-loader" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript>You need to enable javascript to enter this campaign !<br />Powered by <a href="http://www.promosimple.com/">PromoSimple</a>.</noscript></div>
This Is Not a Cliffhangerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11747486375432994561noreply@blogger.com0